The Yankees, Mets or another big-market team likely will land Yoshinobu Yamamoto for a fortune that might rival Gerrit Cole for the largest contract ever awarded a pitcher.

Yamamoto, the winner of three straight Sawamura Awards — Japan’s version of the Cy Young — will be paid like few, if any, pitchers have been paid, but not solely because of his stuff. Sure, the righty projects as an ace, but his most unique characteristic as a top-flight starter on the open market is his age.

Major League Baseball players don’t become free agents until they have reached six years of service time. Cole became a free agent at age 29, when he signed with the Yankees. Jordan Montgomery, perhaps the second-best pitcher on the open market, will turn 31 next week. Blake Snell is 31, too. Marcus Stroman will celebrate his 33rd birthday in May.

Maybe they age with grace, but teams bidding on their services likely believe their best days are behind them. Every arm comes with mileage, which leads to tread, which leads to breakdowns.