National baseball reporter debunks Yoshinobu Yamamoto-SF Giants offer rumors

The Worldwide Leader’s MLB insider came out with a story about the overseas phenom on Monday that offers insight into things like Yamamoto’s travel-friendly workout regimen and the hype surrounding the 25-year-old. It also noted that any news involving contract figures should not be taken as gospel.

“Recently, multiple reports suggested teams already had offered Yamamoto deals in excess of $300 million. Those reports, sources said, are inaccurate,” Passan wrote.

“Multiple high-ranking officials trying to sign Yamamoto told ESPN that teams were asked to give a preliminary bid at the start of the process to ensure they were serious — but not necessarily in the neighborhood of where the deal is likely to land. Since then, those officials say, his agent, Joel Wolfe, has not solicited a new round of bids.”

The report initially came from The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, who reported that his sources told him the Giants and Red Sox were offering Yamamoto $300 million deals. Passan noted on social media that, like Yamamoto’s compatriot Shohei Ohtani, the young pitcher’s camp was interested in keeping things quiet until at least Monday.

“Teams have been asked not to discuss terms yet,” Passan posted on Twitter. “But that could change today when bidding, sources said, is expected to begin. Now is when Yamamoto’s free agency gets real.”

The Giants will certainly hope it’s not just the bidding war that gets real, but also the possibility of bringing in the biggest remaining name in free agency. Yamamoto’s resume is one of the most impressive ones ever from a Japanese prospect, including three straight Pacific League MVPs, three straight Japanese Triple Crowns, an Olympic gold medal, a World Baseball Classic gold medal and an impressive arsenal of pitches, including a 95 mph fastball.