The Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants, Blue Jays, and Phillies have reportedly had in-person meetings. Over the weekend, Yamamoto met with both Mets and Yankees officials in New York. According to a major league source, his visit to the East Coast did not include additional teams.

Many in the industry who are not directly involved in Yamamoto’s free agency see the two New York teams as frontrunners and view the Red Sox as dark horses. That said, such speculation comes without direct knowledge of what Yamamoto is prioritising in selecting a team or what kinds of contract offers have been made.

Yamamoto went 17-6 with a 1.16 ERA, 176 strikeouts, and 28 walks in 171 innings for the Orix Buffaloes last season. Among many accolades, the 25-year-old is a five-time NPB All-Star, a three-time Japanese Triple Crown winner, and a three-time Pacific League MVP.

MLB teams have until January 4 at 5 p.m. ET, which ends the 45-day window that started after the Buffaloes posted and made him available for free agency.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com listed Yamamoto as the No. 2 free agent in this class (behind only Shohei Ohtani) for good reason. As Feinsand noted, scouts believe Yamamoto can immediately jump into the No. 1 or 2 spot in a big-league rotation.

That’s a huge plus, especially for a 25-year-old pitcher who has many prosperous years ahead of him. It’s no secret why all the big-market teams are in on Yamamoto, though it appears the Red Sox are bringing up the rear right now.

As for who is in the lead, SNY’s Andy Martino reported that the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers “have always been in a great position for Yamamoto. He then classified the Mets as more hopeful, but owner Steve Cohen, who visited Yamamoto in Japan with general manager David Stearns, is in the process of making a very serious offer.For now, as Martino reported, Yamamoto is in Los Angeles, where his representation is based, mulling over his decision.