There was some exciting news surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies and their conversation with prized free agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Prior to Aaron Nola signing a long-term deal to stay with the Phillies, the front office was rumored to be very interested in pursuing the 25-year-old Japanese phenom.
After handing out a seven-year, $172 million contract that seems to be much less than what Yamamoto will now get, Philadelphia is now seen as a team who will make some minor additions if any.
That’s basically what Matt Gelb of The Athletic said when answering some mailbag questions about adding more starting pitching.
“Any free-agent starter looking for guaranteed money or guaranteed starts isn’t coming near the Phillies. They have five set starters … Right now, free-agent pitchers are looking for guarantees. The best the Phillies can do is say: You’d be our top reserve option if something happens to the other five. That, ultimately, might appeal to some fringe starters who need a home when the carousel stops spinning. At that point, the depth looks like a couple of minor-league deals,” he writes.
A rotation of Nola, Zack Wheeler, Taijuan Walker, Ranger Suarez and Christopher Sanchez is the expectation.
Yamamoto would be an incredible addition and would make them have one of the best one through three starters in the entire MLB, but his price tag is what makes things difficult as the Phillies are already on the hook for the second-highest payroll heading into the 2024 season.
So, like Gelb is saying, it’s very unlikely they’ll add any high-profile starters.
If they do add pieces, they’ll probably be relievers or some reclamation projects that will get work in their minor league system.
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