Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the highly sought-after Japanese pitcher, is nearing a decision regarding his future in Major League Baseball (MLB). Amidst swirling rumors linking him to the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, a former New York Mets general manager believes that Yamamoto will ultimately choose to join the Mets and embrace the New York limelight.

During an appearance on MLB Network, Steve Phillips, who served as the Mets' general manager from 1997 to 2003, highlighted the Mets' successful assimilation of Kodai Senga into their rotation last year. Phillips suggested that this, coupled with the potential financial advantage offered by Mets owner Steve Cohen, could sway Yamamoto's decision in favor of Queens.

"The Mets did a really nice job assimilating Senga into the rotation last year," said Phillips. "I think the other thing is if it comes down to money, Steve Cohen's going to have one more dollar available than Hal Steinbrenner. The Mets will have one more dollar available to them to go out there and spend."

Senga, who joined the Mets last season, boasted an impressive 2.98 ERA and 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings, finishing as the runner-up in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. As he enters the 2024 season as the Mets' top starter, his successful transition could serve as an enticing factor for Yamamoto.

Phillips also shed light on Yamamoto's recent dinner with a Mets contingent at Cohen's residence, highlighting its significance. He further noted that the Yankees seemed to have put together a meeting with Yamamoto in response to the priority given to the Mets. This sequence of events suggests that the Mets may have an edge in the race for the Japanese ace.

At 25 years old, Yamamoto has already established an impressive record in the Japanese league. He has won the Cy Young and MVP awards for three consecutive seasons and holds a career 1.82 ERA in Nippon Professional Baseball. In the previous season, he registered a remarkable 1.21 ERA and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings across 164 innings.

It is widely speculated that Yamamoto's impending contract could reach a staggering 10 years and $300 million, highlighting the immense demand for his talent. But beyond financial terms, the personal involvement of Steve Cohen in the negotiations cannot be undermined.

Cohen's willingness to personally fly to Japan to meet with Yamamoto and subsequently hosting him has sent a strong message of commitment and interest. This hands-on approach demonstrates Cohen's determination to secure top talent for the Mets and provides reassurance to Yamamoto that he will be supported by a committed ownership group.

Steve Phillips drew parallels to Shohei Ohtani's situation, emphasizing the importance of ownership commitment to players, particularly over the course of a long-term contract. Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700 million contract, possesses the ability to opt out if the ownership or the president of baseball operations changes. Phillips believes that Cohen's enthusiastic approach signals a winning mindset, similar to what Ohtani and other players desire.

With the clock ticking, Yamamoto has until January 4 to make his decision on which MLB team he will join. As fans eagerly await his verdict, the allure of New York and the Mets' notable efforts to secure his services have positioned them as a frontrunner in the pursuit of the star pitcher.