Will Yoshinobu Yamamoto take the biggest offer or are there intangibles in play that could affect the Japanese star’s choice in free agency?
There was one school of thought as Yamamoto prepared to be posted by the Orix Buffaloes last month that the stud right-hander would simply take the largest contract offered to him, putting the Mets strongly in position to land him.
But as Yamamoto continues his free agency this week, meeting in Southern California with teams, the calculus has changed since November.
Shohei Ohtani’s decision to sign with the Dodgers — with the vast majority of his contract deferred — has left the industry wondering if Yamamoto will choose to team with the two-way star even if it means potentially shunning extra dollars from Mets owner Steve Cohen.
Ohtani is the best Japanese player to have worn a major league uniform and can maybe convince Yamamoto to give the Dodgers an unparalleled 1-2 combination from the country.
Ohtani received a 10-year contract worth $700 million over the weekend and will defer all but $2 million annually to give the Dodgers the flexibility for other big items.
If that is not enough competition for the Mets, there is the Yankees factor.
No MLB team carries more recognition globally, and if the 25-year-old Yamamoto values that association above all, he will be wearing pinstripes next season.
The Mets are waiting.
According to an industry source, team officials don’t know if they will have a second audience with Yamamoto — or if one will be needed — following his meeting with Cohen and team president David Stearns in Japan two weeks ago.
Yamamoto arrived in the U.S. in recent days and convened with Yankees officials Monday in Southern California, a day after he reportedly met with the Giants.
It’s known the Red Sox are also in play, in addition to the Dodgers. There could be others.
Stearns has indicated there is a Plan B should the Mets fail to land Yamamoto.
The top free-agent starting pitchers behind him include NL Cy Young award winner Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery and Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga.
A possible middle-of-the rotation option was removed from the board Tuesday when the Royals reached agreement with Seth Lugo on a three-year contract worth $45 million, according to The Post’s Jon Heyman.
The Mets showed late interest in Lugo, who moved from the bullpen to starting rotation last season after signing with the Padres.
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