Phillies Target Enters Legendary Company

Awards can be a useful component in figuring out a player’s worth.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a standout pitcher in the NPB, strengthened his case for MLB free agency on Tuesday.

Yamamoto was voted the MVP of the Pacific League for the third consecutive season.

Yamamoto won the Sawamura Award, the Japanese Cy Young, earlier this month.

The Philadelphia Phillies, who are rumored to be interested in the 25-year-old star as a free agent, should find it to be a fascinating discussion starter.

His agent, Joel Wolfe, told media outlets that in the first 24 hours following his posting by the Buffaloes last Monday, at least 11 to 14 teams had contacted him regarding Yamamoto.

While the pitcher is on the awards tour this week, those organizations are speaking with Yamamoto and his agent over phone calls and Zoom calls. He is anticipated to return to the United States and speak with the finalists following the MLB winter meetings the following week.

By January 4th, he needs to close a deal; otherwise, he will rejoin his Japanese squad, the Orix Buffaloes.

His MVP title elevated him to top status. In the history of Nippon Professional Baseball, he is only the third player to receive MVP honors for three consecutive seasons.

The other two, Hisashi Yamada (1976–78) and Ichiro Suzuki (1994–1996), are legends.

In his remarks during the prize ceremony, Yamamoto mentioned that Ichiro had also played with Orix.

“I’m glad I followed his lead,” Yamomoto remarked. “He is admired by all, and I am among them.”

Yamamoto is regarded as the finest player among a group of gifted Asians who have either already been posted or will be posted shortly. On Monday, Shota Imagana and Naoyuki Uwasawa, two more Japanese pitchers, were posted.

In December, at least two Korean players—outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and his brother-in-law, pitcher Woo-Suk Go—will be included.

Many anticipate Yamamoto to be awarded a deal worth more than $200 million. The Athletic announced Yamamoto’s signing to a seven-year, $211 million contract on Tuesday.

Yamamoto’s record is 70-29. Although his fastball is in the mid-90s, hitters are most familiar with his variety of breaking pitches. He only had an ERA of 1.21 in 2023. In 164 innings, he struck out 169 batters and finished 16-6.

Yamamoto recently concluded their participation in the Japan Series, which is their nation’s version of the World Series. He struck out 14 batters in Game 6, setting a series record, in his final game.

In his career, Yamamoto has thrown two no-hitters. Additionally, he won gold medals for Japan at the 2023 World Baseball Classic and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.