4:27 AM UTC
Japanese phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto is coming to the Majors via the posting system. MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding the right-handed pitcher.
Dec. 20: Phils have made offer to Yamamoto; Dodgers, Mets preparing bids (reports)
It sounds like the Yamamoto sweepstakes is reaching a critical stage: presenting your best offer to the coveted free agent.
Philadelphia’s offer is currently unknown, but the Dodgers are believed to be considering a bid of $250 million to $300 million for Yamamoto, a source told the Los Angeles Times’ Jack Harris. Meanwhile, Mets owner Steve Cohen is “in the process of making a very serious offer” to Yamamoto, per SNY’s Andy Martino.
The right-hander reportedly requested second meetings with the Mets and Yankees, which were held last weekend. Those clubs and the Dodgers are seen as the top contenders for Yamamoto, but the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Giants and Phillies are reportedly in the mix as well.
MLB Network insider Joel Sherman wrote in the New York Post on Sunday that the bidding for Yamamoto is “supposed to intensify” this week. Yamamoto could reach a decision by the end of this week, according to Martino.
Dec. 18: Yamamoto suitors expected to start proposing contract terms (reports)
The bidding for Yamamoto is about to heat up, with mlb/story/_/id/39112266/yoshinobu-yamamoto-mlb-free-agency-contract” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>ESPN’s Jeff Passan hearing that teams were expected to begin proposing contract terms as early as Monday. MLB Network insider Joel Sherman reported something similar in an article for the New York Post on Sunday, writing that the “actual bidding process is supposed to intensify this week.”
A report surfaced Sunday that the Red Sox and Giants each had already made offers to Yamamoto for more than $300 million, but Passan heard that was inaccurate. Multiple high-ranking officials involved in the Yamamoto sweepstakes told ESPN that teams were asked to give preliminary bids at the start of the process to show that they were serious. However, Yamamoto’s agent, Joel Wolfe, has not solicited a new round of bids since then, despite having some teams that were recently interested in talking dollars.
It’s possible Boston and San Francisco plan to extend those giant offers once the bidding officially opens back up. The Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies and Blue Jays are also heavily involved in the Yamamoto market along with the Red Sox and Giants.
Dec. 18: Mets, Yanks get second chance to woo Yamamoto (reports)
MLB Network insider Joel Sherman wrote in the New York Post on Sunday that the bidding for Yamamoto is “supposed to intensify” this coming week.
Sherman reports that Yamamoto held his second meeting with the Mets’ brass on Saturday, and Yamamoto requested the meeting himself, per SNY’s Andy Martino. The 25-year-old Japanese ace had dinner at Mets owner Steve Cohen’s home in Connecticut.
