MUST READ:   Yoshinobu Yamamoto receives an offer from the Phillies despite several red flags.

Yoshinobu Yamamo has received a formal contract offer from the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Although the terms are unknown, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Alex Coffey revealed earlier this week that the team intended to pursue the NPB standout aggressively.

Not surprisingly, it’s noteworthy that the Phillies have submitted a formal request. However, Gelb and Coffey both say it’s unlikely that Yamamoto will accept the Phillies’ offer as the highest. Gelb continues, saying that it’s unclear to team officials how interested the pitcher is in Philadelphia.

All of that fits with previous reports that listed the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox as the other seven acknowledged contenders, with the Phils being considered a relative long shot. As part of his North American trip, Yamamoto skipped Philadelphia and met with club staff in Los Angeles.

Naturally, the majority of free agents begin with money considerations. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him sign with another team if the Phillies’ offer ends up falling short of the best offers. It’s not necessary for Philadelphia to have a starting pitcher. Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker, Ranger Suarez, and Cristopher Sanchez make up a formidable front five. Mick Abel, a prospect, might make a pitch.

into the mixture for the midseason. The best pitcher in the NPB would undoubtedly help the squad, but other clubs would feel more pressure to win the market.

The Dodgers are reportedly thinking about accepting an offer that would cost between $250 million and $300 million. The Mets were putting together “a very serious offer” of their own, according to Andy Martino of SNY on Tuesday night. The 25-year-old is anticipated to get an offer this week from most, if not all, of the seven teams he has recently visited.

Yamamoto has until January 4 at the end of the day to sign. He is not meant to wait for that long. Though unconfirmed, there have been whispers that he might decide by the end of the week. One executive in the bidding process believed Yamamoto would sign by Christmas, while another projected he would take until soon before the year ends, per a report released on Wednesday night by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.