Phillies Reportedly Offered Yoshinobu Yamamoto More Money Than The Dodgers in Free Agency
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ National League rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, reportedly offered pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto more money before the Japanese ace ultimately signed with the Dodgers for a record $325 million.
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Labuer reported the Phillies “offered more money than any team,” including the Boys in Blue.
Apparently the difference between the two offers wasn’t great. The Dodgers landed the 25-year-old Yamamoto for more money than had ever been given a pitcher, breaking Gerrit Cole’s nine-year, $324 million contract with the New York Yankees.
In Lauber’s piece, he explained how the Yamamoto derby was a two-horse raise between the Dodgers and the Yankees. The Phillies made their pitch during a Dec. 14 meeting, but Yamamoto declined to visit Philadelphia days later after having already traveled to New York City.
The Phillies made a strong pitch. Although they came up short in the end, the principal owner of the team, John Middleton, told Lauber he would do it all over again.
“If I had to do it all over again, I’d still do what we did because I think you have to be able to look yourself in the mirror and say, ‘You know what? I tried.’ It’s kind of easy in that situation to say, ‘We’ll just stay home and not even make an effort, or we’ll make a token effort because we’re probably going to wind up losing him.’ I’m not built that way. If he’s really good, you make the effort because you never know when you’ll change somebody’s mind.”
–John Middleton, via Philadelphia Inquirer
The Phillies would have added the best pitcher in the open market, after bringing back right-handed ace Aaron Nola. The Phillies already possessed one of the best rotations in the league.
As for the Dodgers, they were desperate to add a front-line starter in free agency. Luckily, they were able to land the young right-hander even though they didn’t make the highest bid.
Barring anything drastic, Yamamoto will remain in Dodger Blue for at least the first 12 years of his major league career.
Photo Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
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“But..but..but..but the Dodgers just buy players!” The best part besides Ohtani and Yamamoto actually being Dodgers is that the Dodgers didn’t just go outbid everybody for them…they CHOSE to come to the Dodgers when they had better/similar offers available elsewhere. That speaks volumes.
Sorry Mr Lauber… “too bad, so sad! If they offered more, what was the offer? “crickets, crickets…” Yeah, that’s what I thought. I also agree with Jay’ comment. Both Ohtani and Yamamoto WANTED TO BE DODGERS. Nothing more to say!