As the early days of the offseason continue, here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye on…
1. When will Yamamoto be posted?
Earlier this week, the Orix Buffaloes announced shortly after their loss in Game 7 of the Japan Series to the Hanshin Tigers that they have approved the posting of star right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. With the club’s approval secured, the final step before Yamamoto is officially a free agent available to MLB clubs is for him to be officially posted, after which point he will have a 45-day window during which he can sign with any club in the majors. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi recently suggested that Yamamoto’s posting window is expected to open in the near future, likely sometime next week.
Yamamoto, of course, is perhaps the most exciting pitching free agent on the market. Set to hit free agency at just 25 years old, he’s dominated NPB hitters to the tune of a 1.42 ERA in 557 2/3 innings of work the past three seasons. While scouts and teams are often uncertain about how foreign stars will adjust to stateside ball, Yamamoto is something of an exception to that; he’s widely regarded as a potentially ace-caliber arm and a clear front of the rotation starter for an MLB club. That combination of youth and talent secured Yamamoto the #3 spot on MLBTR’s annual Top-50 free agents list, where we projected him for a nine-year, $225MM deal.
2. MLBTR Free Agent Prediction Contest:
This year’s MLBTR Free Agent Prediction Contest will remain open through Monday evening at 11pm CT. If you haven’t made your picks yet but still want to enter, you can take some time this weekend to do so! The contest is free to enter, and the top three finishers will receive cash prizes of $500, $300 and $100, respectively. The top 15 finishers will also receive a free yearlong subscription to our Trade Rumors Front Office subscription package, which in addition to ad-free viewing also comes with access to weekly email content, a weekly subscriber-only chat, access to MLBTR’s Contract Tracker and Agency Database, and more. Once the contest is closed, we’ll launch a leaderboard so you can see how you’re faring both against other entrants and the MLBTR staff! You can read more about the contest here and click here to enter your picks!
3. MLBTR Chat today:
With the offseason ramping up, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will host a chat with readers today at 1pm CT to tackle questions about free agency, trades and more. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to participate live and to read a transcript after the chat is complete.
TrillionaireTeamOperator
Given the basically successful and worthwhile deal with Tanaka, I think the Yankees try for the winning posting bid and successfully sign Yamamoto. Might cost them like $375M or so in total between a $100M posting fee and a $275M 10 year contract, but I think they’ll go for it, given what they spent on Tanaka.
Rexhudler86
I believe 50 million is the maximum now.
showmebb
“The posting fee owed to Orix is tied to the size of the contract and, for a contract over $50 million, the posting fee is $9.375 million plus 15% of the guarantee over $50 million. A $200 million contract would come with a $31.875 million payment to the Buffaloes.” From CBS Sports I believe.
TrillionaireTeamOperator
So this changed from when the Red Sox bid $51,111,111.11 for Dice K?
oscar gamble
@Trillioaire: Yes it has changed since then.
Hemlock
$275MM bid
$9.375MM posting fee
+ 33.75MM (15% of $225.0MM)
==========
$43.125MM posting fees on $275MM
Ham Fighter
He’s way better than Tanaka
Wheeler Dealer
Cubs confirmed
TrillionaireTeamOperator
Ohhh you mean they’re bidding along with a ton of other MLB clubs? lol of course. I thought you meant it was confirmed the Cubs had the winning bid.
lesterdnightfly
Confirmed? You mean they’re all 12-year-pld Lutherans passing their catechism test?
citizen
#3 starter for 180-190 innings minus 1.5 year for tjs. thats your contract basis for Yamamoto. yankees or dodgers.
avenger65
citizen: The Braves said they’re increasing payroll, which boggles the mind. Maybe they’ll sign their first Japanese player. It won’t stop til everyone’s got one.
Sid Bream Speed Demon
Wouldn’t be their first, they had a pitcher named Kawakami or something years back and they kind of jerked him around. I don’t see them getting another.
steelerbravenation
I actually believe the Giants will finally get someone to sign there.
I believe they get Yamamoto,Lee & Chapman this off-season
They will then trade Yaz for Gleybar
myaccount2
I’m not sure Yaz for Gleyber makes sense for either team. The Giants want to add two additional outfielders, so trading one makes that difficult, plus Estrada kind of has a hold on 2B. Gleyber was the Yankees second best hitter last year and if they have designs of competing, they probably don’t want to subtract from the big league club.
avenger65
Steeler: You just know that it’s inevitable that Yaz will eventually end up with the Red Sox
badco44
Yeah maybe so but Boston has a gluten in the outfield already.. don’t see Yaz ending up there
lesterdnightfly
If the Red Sox have a gluten in the outfield, it must be Zack Wheat.
dasit
that explains them looking to deal fred celiac
rememberthecoop
I’m still concerned about his height. Yes, I know pitchers that size have had success, Lincecum comes to mind. But the vast majority of star pitchers are at least 6′
Rexhudler86
What about stroman, lincecum fell in the draft because of his violent throwing motion scouts didn’t they he would hold up.
avenger65
rememberthecoop: Nothing he can do about his height unless he hangs himself from a door like Barney Fife did.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
If the Angelos family are going to tear open their snare drum wallet, it should be for Yoshi
Hemlock
SIGN THE YAMAMOTO, COACH HIDEO NOMO
This one belongs to the Reds
Anyone who gives any pitcher a 10 year contract is absolutely nuts.
Rexhudler86
Cohen might be crazy enough, he’s only 25 with a 1.42 era in the last 3 years.
Slider_withcheese
I’ll be donating my winnings from the free agent contest to a charity.
Hoogie
Don’t count out the Tigers on this one. They have a fist full of Money from Miggy and FRods departures, and Harris is looking to make a splash. A 25 year old starter is just what they need to pair with Skub’s and Mize.
Slider_withcheese
The Tigers hiring of Jason Benetti is a great move and was unpredicted so anything is possible in Detroit
acoss13
For a few dollars more, I think Tigers can swoop in and get Yamamoto and another low cost arm.
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Lol
One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.
Hire the Superfife.