The Philadelphia Phillies Make Formal Contract Offer to NPB Star Yoshinobu Yamamoto
The Philadelphia Phillies have officially made a contract offer to Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, according to reports from Matt Gelb of the Athletic. While the terms of the offer have not been disclosed, it was previously reported by Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer that the Phillies were planning to aggressively pursue the pitcher.
However, it is unlikely that the Phillies’ offer will be the highest that Yamamoto receives. Gelb notes that team officials are uncertain about the pitcher’s interest in Philadelphia. This aligns with earlier reports that suggested the Phillies are a relative long shot among the seven known finalists, which include the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants, Blue Jays, and Red Sox.
The financial aspect of the offer also plays a significant role in Yamamoto’s decision. The Dodgers are reportedly considering an offer that could range between $250 million and $300 million, while the Mets are said to be putting together “a very serious offer” of their own. It is expected that most, if not all, of the seven clubs with which Yamamoto has met recently will submit offers this week.
Yamamoto has until the evening of January 4 to sign, but he is not expected to wait that long. There is speculation that he could make a decision by the end of the week, although it is not guaranteed. Some believe he may deliberate until just before the end of the year.
The Phillies’ pursuit of Yamamoto comes at a time when they are not necessarily in dire need of a starting pitcher. With a strong front five and promising prospect Mick Abel in the mix, the addition of NPB’s best pitcher would undoubtedly improve the group, but other clubs may feel more urgency to outbid the market.
The next few days are crucial in determining where Yamamoto will land, as the competitive bidding for his talents heats up among the interested clubs.