Bryce Harper reportedly involved in Phillies recruitment pitch to Yoshinobu Yamamoto

It appears the Phillies are not done adding to the rotation.

Multiple reports, including from MLB.com‘s Todd Zolecki and the Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Alex Coffey suggest that the Phillies still plan on pursuing top Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto after signing Aaron Nola to a seven-year, $172 million contract.

The team’s top recruiter is reportedly involved.

Zolecki wrote in his report that Bryce Harper is participating in the team’s recruitment of Yamamoto. That includes a cameo in a promotional video made for Yamamoto’s camp.

So what’s next? The Phillies’ $172 million commitment to Nola does not mean they will stop trying to upgrade. Sources said they still have plans to pursue Yamamoto, who is a two-time Pacific League MVP and three-time Sawamura Award winner (Japan’s Cy Young). Word is that Phillies superstar Bryce Harper was involved in making a pitch to Yamamoto’s camp, which included a sizzle reel.

Todd Zolecki on the Phillies’ interest in Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Bryce Harper’s involvement in the recruiting process.

It’s no secret that Harper has played a prominent role in recruiting top players to Philadelphia ever since he arrived in 2019. He had his eyes on teaming up with Mike Trout before the Los Angeles Angels signed him to an extension. His presence played a huge factor in Trea Turner’s decision to sign with the Phillies last offseason.

His initial contract, $13 years, $330 million, was structured this way to make recruiting stars work under the luxury tax. Turner and Nola followed suit and signed contracts with lower average annual values over more years.

“I think that’s one thing about this contract that I’m able to do,” Harper told 94 WIP in March 2019. “Having 13 years in a place, I’m able to help recruit guys to this organization … For me, I can be able to talk to Trout or whoever it is — big-name free agent or whoever — who wants to come to Philly or thinking about coming to Philly.”

Yamamoto, 25, pitched to a 1.21 ERA over 23 starts for the Orix Buffaloes in 2023. Across seven seasons in NPB, Yamamoto is 75-30 with a 1.72 ERA.

If that level of dominance in Japan translates to success in the big leagues, Yamamoto could be a bargain for the price of $200 million plus.

Landing both Nola and Yamamoto in one offseason would give the Phillies a super rotation with three aces at the top in 2024. The Phillies, according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, still plan on pursuing an extension with Zack Wheeler. Gelb suggested that those talks could begin during spring training.

Signing Yamamoto would push the Phillies’ payroll to unprecedented heights.

It would almost certainly push the Phillies above the $277 million third tier of the luxury tax, unless the Phillies shed enough salary in other places. Finishing next season above the third tier would mean the Phillies, unless they pick in the top six of the 2025 MLB Draft, would see their first-round selection in that year’s draft moved back 10 spots.

Yamamoto is expected to be posted by the Buffaloes on Monday. He will have 45 days to sign with an MLB club or return to play another season in Nippon Professional Baseball.

The MLB team that signs Yamamoto will also have to pay a posting fee to the Buffaloes in addition to the contract. Per MLB Trade Rumors, the posting fee equals 20% of the first $25 million guaranteed ($5 million), 17.5% of the next $25 million ($4.375 million) and 15% of the remaining money on the contract. The posting fee does not count towards a team’s luxury tax payroll.

Even if the Phillies fall short in the bidding for Yamamoto, it benefits the team to remain in the market for the 25-year-old pitcher’s services. The Phillies’ presence in the market could moderately inflate the final price Yamamoto’s eventual team pays and a serious pursuit signals to future players coming over from Japan that the team is equipped to court international free agents.

Just about every big market team and the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, are in on Yamamoto. The division rival New York Mets are expected to be one of Yamamoto’s most aggressive suitors. The San Francisco Giants are also expected to be heavily involved.

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