Ranking the 4 frontline starters the SF Giants should target in free agency

Ranking the 4 frontline starters the SF Giants should target in free agency

3) Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Don't let the low ranking on this list fool you! Yoshinobu Yamamoto has the upside to be an immediate MLB ace, especially for a franchise like the SF Giants, ranking as high as #2 based on a recent free-agent board (behind only Ohtani), Yamamoto could be the steal of this free agency class.

During his seven-year international career, the star has a pristine 1.72 ERA. Since transitioning to the highly competitive NPL league in Japan, he has maintained a 1.82 ERA. For context, Mets All-Star pitcher Kodai Senga posted a 2.35 ERA in the NPL before immediately dominating in his inaugural MLB season.

He reportedly features a great four-seam fastball (in the range of 97 mph), and a plus cutter, curveball, and splitter. By all accounts, he is primed to be the next big international star to enter MLB.

As his legend grows, so too does his price tag. In fact, it is being reported that the club that wins the Yamamoto sweepstakes should expect to hand him a $200+ million contract. While his upside is sky-high, the Japanese star's lack of a proven MLB track record places him just below these next two veterans.