Phillies Reportedly had Bryce Harper FaceTime Yoshinobu Yamamoto
This story is all over the place and no one seems to have a timeline on when it occurred, but apparently Bryce Harper FaceTimed Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Now was it this weekend, like some accounts are reporting? Was it during the meeting last week, when Todd Zolecki reported that Bryce narrated a sales pitch for Yamamoto? When did this FaceTime happen? Did we technically get a second interview with Yamamoto? The Dodgers had a six-year-old video of Kobe Bryant ready for Shohei Ohtani. I need answers because all we have right now is this report from Jon Morosi:
As we reported on @MLBNetwork this morning:
Bryce Harper, 2-time NL MVP, spoke with Yoshinobu Yamamoto over FaceTime as part of the Phillies’ presentation to him. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 18, 2023
This second interview is so much better than what the Yankees and Mets prepared for him.
Dinner at Uncle Steve’s:
Yamamoto had dinner at Steve Cohen’s house last night, per source. Manager and pitching coach attended. Not at offer stage yet.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) December 17, 2023
Sources: Yamamoto expected to meet again with the Yankees while he’s in the area, could be as soon as today.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) December 17, 2023
Who wants to be wined and dined by rich people you have nothing in common with? You know how old it must be to have every bad Steve Cohen joke relayed to you by an interpreter? I mean Yoshi might have to get a restraining order against the guy when he signs with someone else. Steve Cohen is like a lovesick puppy. He flies out to Japan. He’s having multiple meetings and dinners with the guy. Give the man some space. Bryce probably FaceTimed him last night between the 1 o’clock and 4 p.m. NFL slate and said something like “come, or don’t.” We’re still going to go on a playoff run with or without you. A foolproof negotiating tactic. How do you get the girl of your dreams? Act like you don’t even care about her, totally ignore her, and she’ll be enamored. The Phillies are playing a cat and mouse game with New York. “Oh shucks I don’t think we’ll get him!” Then all of a sudden they make a last-second play and nail Yamamoto at midnight.
Bryce Harper on the FaceTime pic.twitter.com/GtVKTTAyOa
— Webster (@WallyEatsCats) December 18, 2023