The Philadelphia Phillies have been widely reported to want to jump into the Japanese free agent market, and they've shown such a willingness in their attempt to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
But this offseason, with three potential options — DH/corner infielder Munetaka Murakami, corner infielder/outfielder Kazuma Okamoto and starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai — the Phillies didn't make a signing, let alone a push.
Matt Gelb of The Athletic revealed why the Phillies weren't going after these free agents, and the reasoning will frustrate fans who wanted the franchise to land some improvements this winter.
Phillies' plan for top Japanese free agents is frustrating for fans
"Although the Phillies have been eager to enter the Japanese market in a bigger way," Gelb reports, "by all indications, their interest in this class's headliners was lukewarm. The Phillies, according to league sources, did not see Munetaka Murakami or Kazuma Okamoto as defensive fits based on their current roster."
The Phillies not having interest in Murakami isn't a major surprise, as he would've been the Kyle Schwarber replacement if he left in free agency. But the lack of interest in Okamoto is a confusing one. He can play in the outfield if needed, and with the Phillies in need of outfield help, Okamoto would've made sense defensively.
And if they wanted to play him at his other corner infield spots, the Phillies could trade Alec Bohm to open a spot for Okamoto. Instead, the Phillies decided not to go after him.
For Imai, the Phillies were concerned about his role on an MLB roster and whether he'd be a starter or a reliever. The Houston Astros deal emulates those concerns, with escalators in his contract for innings pitched.
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But the Phillies, with some Zack Wheeler uncertainty, could've benefited from Imai at the start of the year. If he pitched well, they'd have a great starter; if he struggles, they could move him to the bullpen as a long reliever, as they did with Taijuan Walker.
It wouldn't have been ideal, but the Phillies could've made it work. But the point with the Phillies passing on Imai, Murakami and Okamoto isn't just due to the concerns they had, but their overall lack of involvement in the Japanese market.
They showed some interest in these players, with Imai often being linked to the Phillies this winter. But, Gelb reports, "The Phillies were not considered 'serious' bidders for any of the three."
Despite Okamoto and Imai having clear spots on the roster open, and the Phillies' wish to get into the Japanese free agent market, they never were serious players for these top free agents. It's a frustrating revelation, especially for fans hoping to see Philadelphia get involved in the markets for top Japanese free agents.
More Phillies news:
- Phillies' former No. 1 prospect stays in Japan rather than return to MLB
- Phillies' free agent rumor is bad news for top remaining free agents
- Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto prediction shows how bad things would be if Philadelphia doesn’t re-sign him
- Phillies' top outfield prospect is 'practically a lock' for Opening Day MLB debut
- Phillies sign former Cardinals, Blue Jays 6'2'' lefty reliever