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The Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as an unexpected contender for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a 25-year-old Japanese pitching sensation.
While Shohei Ohtani is undoubtedly the most sought-after player in the MLB free agent market, Yamamoto, his fellow countryman, is also a highly desirable option.
At just 25 years old, Yamamoto has already proven himself as a two-time Pacific League Most Valuable Player and a three-time Japanese Triple Crown winner.
While the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Cubs have all been rumored to be interested in the 5-foot-11 right-handed pitcher, Philadelphia has taken the lead in the race, according to a report from Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
“I have heard that the Phillies have genuine interest in Yamamoto, and in my opinion, it is a smart move,” Salisbury shared on Philadelphia radio station 94WIP. “They may be considered a long shot due to their lack of history with Japanese players, but that shouldn’t deter them. They should be aggressive in pursuing him because he would be an immediate contributor and a long-term asset.
“While he has been loosely connected to teams like the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, I see the Phillies as a big-market team with an assertive owner, a proactive front office, and a strong desire to win and invest in talent. Although they haven’t had Japanese players in the past, why not start now?”
Yamamoto recently displayed his exceptional skills in his final game in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, pitching an impressive 138-pitch game to lead the Orix Buffaloes to victory in Game 6 of the 2023 Japan Series against Hasnshin.
Additionally, he played a crucial role in Japan’s victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, showcasing a remarkable 2.45 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings pitched.
It is safe to say that whichever team secures Yamamoto’s signature will be acquiring a potentially game-changing starting pitcher.
According to the Source brobible.com