The commencement of the winter meeting added an extra layer of excitement and anticipation amongst the MLB fans, especially the New York Yankees fanbase. The team has a lot to change and a lot to think about with respect to roster construction. While the front office gathered at Nashville for the official meet, uncertainty over off-season plans continues to loom.
The New York Yankees’ top pursuits have been compromised owing to steep prices. Amid a lack of shortage, two Korean players have entered the market this meet. Both the players were previously linked to the Bronx Bombers. And could be cheap alternatives to the high-end names the club has been on to this off-season.
Jung Hoo Lee, Woo Suk Go Posted On MLB By Respective KBO Teams!
In a strategic move to strengthen their roster further, the New York Yankees are reportedly considering pursuing two emerging Korean baseball stars, Jung Hoo Lee and Woo Suk Go, as they enter free agency. The two players were posted by their KBO teams, thus kicking off a 30-day negotiation window. The Bombers reportedly scouted Lee this season and could land him this off-season. The outfielder delivered an MVP season in 2022 and registered decent numbers in an injury-riddled 2023 season. He is not a great hard hitter. But his ability to draw walks and secure bases makes him a unique prospect. If the Yanks fail to land Juan Soto from the Padres, Jung Hoo Lee remains a perfect, cheaper alternative.
On the other hand, right-handed pitcher Woo Suk Go was also posted by his KBO team, LG Twins, on Monday. He is just 25 years old and is coming off a 3.68 ERA season in 2023. Go also allowed two home runs across 44 innings. However, his best came in during the 2022 season, wherein the pitcher struck out 80 and walked 21 across 60.2 innings and had just a 1.48 ERA. He is a perfect, cheaper alternative to Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Japanese ace pitcher has garnered as many as 11 suitors since getting posted last week. Thus, despite being favorites, the Yankees’ pursuit of Yamamoto could land in jeopardy. Having said that, the negotiation process for international players involves careful evaluation of their skills, adaptability to the MLB style of play, and potential cultural adjustments. The Yanks are expected to navigate these considerations before making decisions.
Yankees Interested In Reunion With Wandy Peralta!
The New York Yankees let relief pitcher Wandy Peralta walk this off-season after the conclusion of his one-year extension contract. Now that Peralta is an unrestricted free agent, the Bronx Bombers are eyeing a reunion. As per insider Jon Heyman, the Yanks are in a mix to land Wandy this off-season.
Wandy Peralta remained a key figure of the Yankees bullpen, which topped the league in terms of lowest ERA in 2023. Not only that, the 32-year-old remained the most-used relief pitcher of the Bombers during the lost season. Additionally, he is a left, which adds much-needed balance to the right-handed dominated bullpen lineup. Thus, Yanks’ potential interest in a reunion with Peralta shouldn’t surprise the fans.
