4 back-up free agent targets for the Red Sox with Sonny Gray off the market
By Eric Cole
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Much is going to be made of Shohei Ohtani and his possible connection with Boston this offseason and frankly, that is understandable as he is a generational talent. However, the focus here is going to be on arms that can help the Red Sox on the mound in 2024 and with Shohei not pitching next season, the biggest name left that could be in Boston's rotation next season is Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
From the moment that Yamamoto was posted, he became one of the top players on the free agent market period despite the fact that he has yet to play a single inning in MLB. He has dominated over in Japan the last couple of years thanks to a tantalizing blend of stuff including a mid to upper 90's fastball as well as a devastating splitter and curve and the ability to command his pitches. Guys with this kind of upside who are also just 25 years old almost never hit free agency.
Ever since it was rumored that he was coming to MLB, Boston has been mentioned among the teams that are going to be in on Yamamoto. He certainly isn't going to come cheap as most outlets have him getting AT LEAST seven years and north of $200 million, but he is worthy of that investment and Boston clearly has to get serious about investing in their rotation this offseason.