EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Mets GM Skeptical of Yoshinobu Yamamoto Signing Amid Injury Worries, Prefers Snell and Montgomery Duo for Same Price

Stephen Phillips knows a thing or two about recruiting for a big market team. During his tenure as the GM of the New York Mets, he made numerous blockbuster signings and created a team that nearly won the World Series. So it was a surprise when in a recent exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Phillips revealed that he wasn’t a big fan of the Yoshinobu Yamamoto deal.

A believer in spreading his resources around the roster, Phillips instead preferred that money be spent on getting Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. But for him the biggest worry wasn’t even the cost of the contract, it was the length! The popular analyst gave a candid explanation for why he thinks the Yamamoto deal might not be as good as it’s perceived to be.

Steve Phillips raises cautions regarding Yoshinobu Yamamoto

When the Los Angeles Dodgers gave Yamamoto a 12-year $325 million deal, it raised a few eyebrows. That high of an amount for a still unproven pitcher was unprecedented, also the length showed extra optimism on the side of the Blue Crew. Stephen Phillips also gave his two cents on this topic. He was clear from the onset that had he been an executive, he wouldn’t have signed Yamamoto.

“ I would never give a pitcher a 12-year contract. I don’t know any pitcher that stayed healthy for 12 years. And people can say he’s been healthy his whole year, you know what that means to me? He’s due for an injury then because they all get hurt at some point.” Phillips declared to EssentiallySports. 

Instead, the ex-Mets GM would’ve looked to spread out that amount and sign both Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. Always a fan of having more options in the squad, Phillips finds this approach less risky and more rewarding.  “So I personally instead of signing Yamamoto, I would sign Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery for $160 million each. Get two pitchers that I know can successfully pitch here. They’re older but it’d be shorter-term deals. And I think if one of them gets hurt I got the other one still pitching for me… If I’ve got that much money to spend, let me spend in multiple different places on my roster. Then it’s gonna give me a better chance to win.” Phillips said.

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Phillips’ concerns regarding injuries aren’t unreasonable. Many times previously fit pitchers have suddenly broken down. Till now in his career, Yamamoto hasn’t taken an extended break due to injuries – with his last two breaks being due to sickness. Even the Dodgers share these concerns, as the team has structured opt-outs based on potential elbow injuries.

Hopefully, reality is different from these concerns as fans would love to see a healthy Yamamoto performing for as long as possible.

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