Report: Phillies Meet With Yoshinubo Yamamoto Today

The Phillies solidified at least one spot in their starting rotation early on in the offseason.  Aaron Nola is headed back to the Phillies on a seven-year, $172 million contract.   But the Phillies may not be done adding to the starting rotation.  Could Yoshinobu Yamamoto be a possibility?

The New York Yankees are hot on the Yamamoto trail, too.

On MLB Network Radio this offseason, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke of personally going to Japan to scout Yamamoto.  Cashman mentioned that the Phillies had "five guys" present at that game, though he quipped that he "had better seats" than the Phillies scouts.

Early Phillies interest in Yamamoto was reported by Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Yamamoto may earn as much as $300 million, according to many reports.  Should he sign a contract above $50 million, the additional posting fee will be, according to MLB.com, "20 percent of the first $25 million plus 17.5 percent of next $25 million plus 15 percent of the total guaranteed value exceeding $50 million."

In seven seasons, Yamamoto boasts a 1.82 earned run average, with the last three seasons coming in at 1.39, 1.68, and 1.16.  He pitches in the high 90s.

He was most recently in the United States pitching in the World Baseball Classic, Yamamoto helped lead Japan to victory against Team USA.

Over at MLB.com, Todd Zolecki wrote in a piece, "Phillies Making Strides in Japan," that the Phillies have tried to woo Yamamoto, with the help of Bryce Harper, but the club is not optimistic.

Earlier this offseason, Harper narrated a sales pitch for free-agent right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, although the Phillies do not expect to sign him.

The Phillies appear to be trying, nonetheless.

The Phillies could add an ace pitcher by writing a big check.  Will they successfully do so?  That remains to be seen, but the Phillies at least have Yamamoto's ear.