Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a star free agent from Japan, is not likely to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies this winter.
The New York Yankees are currently thought to be the front-runners for MLB’s most sought-after free agent. The Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and New York Mets are all allegedly in the running for second place. Remarkable offers have also been made to the standout pitcher by Boston and San Francisco.
Philadelphia is still actively pursuing the 25-year-old Yamamoto in spite of this. The Phillies have made the great pitcher and his camp a formal offer, according to Matt Gelb of the Athletic.
It’s unclear what kind of offer Philadelphia made or if it was even close to the estimated $300 million or more that Yamamoto is anticipated to earn in MLB free agency.
However, as highlighted by Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski (via Gelb), it doesn’t appear that a big-money contract like the one Philadelphia gave out last summer is in the cards.
Dombrowski declared earlier this month that “we’ll continue to talk to people and investigate if we can get better.” “I believe there is something we will do gradually. However, it might not include paying Trea Turner the kind of money we discussed last year.
Philadelphia doesn’t seem to be willing to make a lowball offer in spite of this. It will, at the absolute least, be reasonably competitive.
Related: The Philadelphia Phillies are willing to trade an All-Star player.
Philadelphia Phillies still longshot to land Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Given Dombrowski’s prior remarks and the current state of the market around Yamamoto, Philadelphia is still a significant underdog in the race for the top pitcher.
The Yankees are currently thought to be the clear favorites to sign Yamamoto. It’s come to the point where other potential candidates, including the current NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell, may be switching to backup options.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s career statistics are as follows: 967.2 innings pitched, 1.72 ERA, 4.56 SO/BB, 6.2 H/9, 0.3 HR/9, and 986 strikeouts.
Should Yamamoto surprise everyone by signing a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, that would result in an extremely strong rotation.
Earlier in MLB free agency, Philadelphia signed veteran Aaron Nola to a seven-year, $172 million contract. The other players in the rotation are Taijuan Walker, Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, and ace Zack Wheeler.
