Mets owner Steve Cohen flew to Japan to meet Yoshinobu Yamamoto with price tag surging

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Steve Cohen has been proactive in his recruitment of the top starting pitching talent on the free-agent market.

The Mets owner last week flew to Japan to meet with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, an industry source confirmed Wednesday, ahead of the Japanese ace’s scheduled arrival in the U.S. within the next few days to meet with teams.

Yamamoto’s price tag could exceed $250 million, with estimates in recent days even suggesting he could bank $300 million.

Cohen has previously taken an active role in courting top players, most notably with Francisco Lindor after the All-Star shortstop arrived in a trade before the 2021 season.

Lindor and Cohen later credited a dinner the two had during spring training for sealing the 10-year contract worth $341 million the shortstop received.

Yamamoto has plenty of suitors, including the Yankees, who are expected to meet with him next week.

The Giants, Dodgers and Phillies are among the other teams that have been linked to Yamamoto.