Yamamoto's Phillies snub hurts even more after seeing his World Series performance

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto's snub of the Philadelphia Phillies hurts even more after seeing his performance in Game 2 of the World Series. The stellar right-hander continues to prove his worth at the right time to the Dodgers in the postseason.

During the Phillies press conference announcing the re-signing of Aaron Nola during the 2023 offseason, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski commented that he liked how the starting rotation looked with spring training a few months away. However, it became known early in 2024 that they were also attempting to sign Yamamoto.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto turned down a massive contract offer from the Phillies that exceeded his Dodgers deal

As The Philadelphia Inquirer's Scott Lauber reported on Feb. 20, 2024, Phillies managing partner John Middleton offered Yamamoto more money (subscription required) than the 12-year, $325 million contract the star pitcher accepted from the Dodgers.

Dombrowski later confirmed that the Phillies attempted to sign Yamamoto and offered him a more expensive deal than the deal he agreed to with Los Angeles. However, the starter preferred the Dodgers.

The fact that the Phillies offered Yamamoto a more lucrative deal than the contract he accepted with the Dodgers proves how much Middleton is willing to spend to help Philadelphia have a competitive team each season and how much he wants to win a World Series.

Joining former Team Japan teammate Shohei Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with Los Angeles in December 2023, may have been a factor in Yamamoto's preference. The Dodgers also have more of a history of signing players from Japan.

Yamamoto's complete games in NLCS and World Series make Phillies snub hurt even more

After losing Game 1 of the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays 11-4, the Dodgers needed a win on the road in Game 2. Yamamoto proved to be the best starter for Los Angeles to shut down Toronto's offense.

The 27-year-old compiled eight strikeouts and surrendered four hits, one earned run, and no walks in the Dodgers' 5-1 victory.

This came on the heels of Yamamoto's complete game in Los Angeles' 5-1 victory in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers. He finished that contest with seven strikeouts and allowed three hits with one walk.

According to The Athletic's Andy McCullough, Yamamoto became the first starting pitcher to record multiple complete playoff games (subscription required) since Curt Schilling did so in 2001 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Los Angeles phenom is the first Dodgers pitcher to do so since Orel Hershiser in 1988.

Two of Yamamoto's strikeouts during the bottom of the first were significant in keeping Toronto from scoring any runs. He allowed hits to the first two Blue Jays hitters he faced, a double to George Springer and a shallow single to Nathan Lukes. Yamamoto then struck out Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., got Alejandro Kirk to line out and struck out Daulton Varsho.

Yamamoto made the right decision for himself. He is on a Dodgers team that is only a few wins away from winning back-to-back World Series. He has played a significant part in the team's success since 2024, especially when it is needed most during the Fall Classic. For the Phillies and their fans, it is unfortunate that he preferred Los Angeles.