YAMAMOTO WATCH IS ON! WILL THE YANKEES OUTBID THE METS?

The anticipation is killing all baseball fans. The Yoshinobu Yamamoto watch party has kicked into extra innings now that the Mets and Yankees have taken follow up meetings. It's round two of interviews, and on paper, the Yankees have more to offer Yamamoto than the Mets do. So how close is this race?

I am not blinded by the fact that my New York allegiance is with the Yankees instead of the Mets. I know on paper; the Yankees look more attractive and should be the more attractive offer. No disrespect to the Mets but, they are not built to win right now. They went all in last winter with big splashes but didn't perform and had a fire sale by the trade deadline. The Yankees didn't end any better, but our roster is stronger.

The Yankees are closer to contending than the Mets are, but Steve Cohen will hand out high dollar contracts like they are Tootsie Rolls. He likes to spend his money, and he isn't shy about it. So, do I think the Mets would spend more if if meant luring Yamamoto from the Yankees to the Mets? 100% without doubt, yes.

I saw all kinds of rumors on X this weekend. Saturday, I saw the Red Sox made an offer for $300+ million with incentives and opt out to the Mets offering 10 years and $390 million. I wouldn't be shocked to see Cohen make a crazy offer, so that leads me to question.... how much would be "too much" to offer Yamamoto?

I'll be honest, I really want Yamamoto, but I also don't want to pay him more than we are giving Gerrit Cole. I have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of going $325 million plus to a man who has never pitched in MLB. It's not a question on if I think he is talented enough, because I know he is, but Cole is a proven MLB ace. Yamamoto has won three consecutive Sawamura awards (Japanese equivalent to a Cy Young) but he hasn't earned that contract yet here. So, I have a limit and I think the Yankees should too.

Everything has a limit, even if you are a Yankee. I know that's not Cohen's way to operate, but he also isn't built for right now. If Yamamoto wants a chance to win while still earning a high dollar contract, the Mets aren't the way to go.

I guess we will see what Yamamoto values more. Thankfully, we won't have to wait too long. I just hope we get Yamamoto under our Yankee Christmas tree. Fingers crossed.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj