NEWSLETTER
As we hoped, the 25-year-old ace coming over from Japan, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, will not follow the delayed posting schedule of Jung Hoo Lee. Instead, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Yamamoto will be posted “likely within the next week.”
Now that’s what I like to hear!
That report was shared yesterday, which means we could see Yamamoto posted sometime before next Wednesday. And even if he took the full week, some back-of-the-napkin math shows that a deal would still have to be done before New Years Eve (45 days from the posting). Again, to those rooting for another snappy offseason, that’s very good news. Even better news? The Chicago Cubs are reportedly in on Yamamoto.
Jon Heyman did a live stream on Bleacher Report earlier today, with this to say:
Yamamoto is one of the best young pitchers we’ve seen (become available in free agency)….Every big market team, plus the Arizona Diamondbacks, are in on him. The Mets have been linked to him most often, but the Cubs are in on him. The Cardinals, the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers (too).
Heyman also said “I’m not ruling the Cubs out on anything,” when asked about the possibility of the Cubs signing Shohei Ohtani and Cody Bellinger, but it just seemed like a generalization. Just thought I’d share that.
Heyman has previously mentioned the Cubs, too, though today’s note was a little more specific:
In thee meantime, you’re looking for a little more on Yamamoto, check out Joel Sherman’s latest at The New York Post. In that article, you’ll hear from Yamamoto’s locker mate, former Cub Frank “The Tank” Schwindel.
Schwindel was asked specifically about Yamamoto’s height (he’s only 5’10”), but he doesn’t seem to share the concern: “I’m not concerned at all about the size. He’s the first one in the weight room every day, not just lifting the most weights, but his flexibility might be the best I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen him throw from center field to the foul pole flatfooted as part of his long-toss program. He really can let it rip. That size isn’t going to hurt him. … It’s crazy. He can do back bridges and stuff you only see gymnasts do. He’s just a special guy.”
Generally speaking, Yamamoto is projected to get north of $200M this offseason. But remember, his new team will also be required to pay a posting fee, which works out like this:
So a $200M contract would actually cost something closer to $230M in real dollars (though at least that part doesn’t count against your luxury tax). Go get him, Cubs.
