The Phillies of Philadelphia are making a major effort to sign Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, during Yamamoto’s meeting with the Phillies, superstar Bryce Harper encouraged him to visit Philadelphia over FaceTime.
When Harper signed a 13-year contract with the Phillies in 2019, he became possibly the largest free-agent signing in Philadelphia sports history.
As the most sought-after free agent still available, Yamamoto is expected to ink a contract that will probably set a record for a Japanese import. The Los Angeles Dodgers are also a possible factor, although the New York Yankees and New York Mets have been picked as favorites in the process.
Harper has embraced Philadelphia since moving here and grown to be one of the most well-liked sports figures in the area.
In October, Harper told reporters, “I love this place.” Playing in front of these supporters at [Citizens Bank Park] is an incredible experience. a hardworking, blue-collar mindset that fights every day. Man, I get chills. I become really enraged… My intention when I came here was to use every effort to return with a trophy for this community, [owner John Middleton], and this organization.”
Since Shohei Ohtani, Yamamoto has been the most anticipated Japanese player to be posted. The 25-year-old fireball has won the Japanese Triple Crown the past three seasons and can often reach speeds of up to 95 mph with his fastball. To sign Yamamoto, a team is likely to need to pay him more than $300 million in total, which includes the posting fee to the Orix Buffaloes.
That would be, by far, the biggest guarantee ever made to a player who hasn’t yet participated in an MLB game.
Gerrit Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees, the biggest contract ever granted to an exclusively pitching player in league history. Pitcher and hitter Shohei Ohtani exceeded that total this offseason when he signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
The Phillies have been active in free agency in recent years, as evidenced by the signing of starting pitcher Aaron Nola to a seven-year, $172 million contract earlier this offseason and shortstop Trea Turner to an 11-year, $300 million deal last offseason.