While the New York Yankees are among the favorites to sign Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, there is a real possibility that they will fall short. Even if they do, they will reportedly be “aggressive” in free agency to bolster their starting rotation for 2024.
After the Los Angeles Dodgers signed two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract a few weeks ago, the focus in MLB free agency has shifted to Yoshinbou Yamamoto.
The three-time Nippon Professional Baseball MVP is regarded as a player who could be a star for the next decade, despite being only 25 years old and already a dominant force in Asia. That is why every major league club, including the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and San Francisco Giants, is pursuing the pitcher.
The Yankees were considered the favorite to sign him heading into the week due to the appeal of the Pinstripes brand to many Japanese players. However, with Ohtani being a part of the recent pitch to Yamamoto, the Dodgers have a strong chance, and the Mets have the money and desire to outbid every other team. As a result, the Yankees are unlikely to win these sweepstakes.
That is why, according to The Athletic MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the organization is still planning for that possibility and will be “aggressive” in the free agent market to strengthen the rotation behind American League Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole.
Yamamoto could be a generational talent worth the $300 million he could receive. With the Yankees reportedly hoping to avoid the next payroll tax threshold, fans should not expect them to pay the same price for NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Furthermore, they are unlikely to make a large trade because they want to keep their top prospects after giving up a couple of them in the Juan Soto trade.
With that in mind, here are five free-agent pitchers the New York Yankees could pursue if they fail to win the Yamamoto sweepstakes.
5 free agent pitchers New York Yankees could target
Marcus Stroman is a musician.
Marcus Stroman would be an intriguing free agent option for the Yankees. The former Blue Jays and Mets pitcher is a native New Yorker who has excelled in big-market spotlights throughout his career. Stroman is in the midst of his prime after a strong season for the Cubs this season and would be a reliable No. 2 but great No. 3 in the rotation if Carlos Rodon can regain his previous form in 2024.
Clayton Kershaw is a baseball player.
If the Yankees lose Yamamoto to the Dodgers, luring away Clayton Kershaw, one of the greatest pitchers in Los Angeles history, could be a good short-term option to bolster the starting rotation. There are certainly injury concerns for the 10-time All-Star, but when he does take the mound, he is still pitching at a high level, and he could be had for a reasonable price compared to some of the contracts top-line pitchers will receive this offseason.
Jordan Montgomery plays for the New York Yankees.Photographer: Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports
According to Rosenthal’s report, the Yankees are interested in reuniting with homegrown product Jordan Montgomery, which makes sense. Montgomery appears to have leveled up and come up big for the Texas Rangers down the stretch of the season and during their playoff run to the 2023 World Series after being traded last year.
What’s more, he already knows the New York market and can perform well under the heat and pressure of the rabid Yankees fanbase. In addition, he would be reasonably priced.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is a co-favorite of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees.
Frankie Montas is a musician.
Along with a reunion with Montgomery, there have been rumors that the organization would like to bring back Frankie Montas. While he has been a huge disappointment since being traded to New York last year, at only 30 years old, he could be a low-cost option with high upside as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.
Imanaga Shota
Earlier this week, it was reported that if the New York Yankees fail to sign Yamamoto, they may pursue his World Baseball Classic teammate Shota Imanaga. While Imanaga is older than Yamamoto and does not have the same upside, he performed in Japan similarly to countryman Kodai Senga.
Senga was an All-Star in his debut for the Mets this season, and similar production at a lower cost would be a big win for the Yankees in 2024.
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