It seems like MLB teams have been bidding on Yoshinobu Yamamoto forever, but we are approaching the end of this particularly long saga full of twists, meetings, and rumors.
The Japanese star pitcher has until January 4 to sign with a team in the majors, and while some believe a decision might extend near that date, others think it could come as soon as this week.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden offered some really helpful insight on Yamamoto’s situation.
“The latest that I’m hearing re: Yamamoto. Favorites to land him: #Dodgers or #Yankees. Expected highest bidders: #Mets or #Giants. Backburner teams: #RedSox #Phillies #BlueJays. Time Frame: This week. Projected contract: $250-$300 million. Expected posting fee: $50m. Expected length: 8-12 years depending on offer. Agent: Joel Wolfe – Wasserman. What’s more important, offer or team situation: N/A. Now we wait,” he wrote via Twitter.
The latest that I’m hearing re: Yamamoto
Favorites to land him: #Dodgers or #Yankees
Expected highest bidders: #Mets or #Giants
Backburner teams: #RedSox #Phillies #BlueJays
Time Frame: This week
Projected contract: $250-$300 million
Expected posting fee: $50m
Expected length:…— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) December 20, 2023
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees are favorites to sign him at this point, but some writers put the New York Mets in the same tier because owner Steve Cohen refuses to let him slip away.
The Mets, or the San Francisco Giants, are expected to be the highest bidders, but the ace wants to go to a winning team and both squads missed the postseason in 2023.
The Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Toronto Blue Jays remain in the mix, but they are a bit behind the top trio.
Bowden believes the final contract could be in the $250-$300 million range and that seems about right.
The pact could range between eight and 12 years, which is an insanely long commitment for a pitcher.
It seems to be what it takes to secure his services, though.
We are nearing the end line, so stay tuned.
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