Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s sweepstakes have reportedly reached their conclusion, and the New York Yankees have seemingly missed out. As per several MLB insiders, LA Dodgers have secured the Japanese ace’s services for the next 12 years at the cost of $325 million. With that, Yamamoto is now the most expensive pitcher in MLB.
Having said that, the Yankees apparently fought till the very end. As per Andy Martino of SNY, the Bronx Bombers tabled a $300 million contract. But the Dodgers not only matched the offer but also increased the stakes. That being said, the Yanks won’t give up until they have a quality starter and recently remained linked to another NPB starting pitcher.
Yankees Bidding For Cuban Pitcher Yariel Rodriguez Amid Yamamoto Fallout
In a surprising turn of events, Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto appears to be heading to the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaving the New York Yankees to recalibrate their offseason strategy. Reports suggest that the Yanks are now setting their sights on Cuban NPB pitcher Yariel Rodriguez as a viable fall-back option to bolster their pitching staff. Rodriguez is another NPB pitcher who will leap into MLB in 2024. The Cuban native pitcher skipped the 2023 NPB season to prepare for the major league challenge. Moreover, as per MLB reporter Francys Romero, the Yanks seem heavily interested in Rodriguez. Apart from the Bombers, the Blue Jays, Pirates, and Astros are also among the favorites to sign Rodriguez this off-season.
Yariel Rodriguez posted a .03 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings across 175 1/3 frames in three NPB seasons from 2020 to 22. His fastballs can touch 100 mph, and the Cuban pitcher can also throw sliders from a good range. While Yariel has been showcasing his talent in NPB for a while now, this year’s World Baseball Classic tournament increased his stakes as a starting pitcher. The Yankees recognize the importance of shoring up their pitching rotation. Thus, they are expected to engage in negotiations with Rodriguez’s representatives in the coming days. The fall-back option presents an opportunity for the Yanks to address a crucial aspect of their roster ahead of the impending 2024 season.
Fans Bewildered As Yanks Lose Yoshinobu Yamamoto Sweepstakes!
This off-season just turned bittersweet for the New York Yankees with the latest update on Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes. According to Jack Curry of YES Network, Yamamoto is headed to LA Dodgers for a $325 million contract. Apparently, the Yanks tried hard. But remained hesitant to cross the $300 million figure. On the other hand, both the Dodgers and Mets offered Yamamoto a $300+ million contract. But ultimately, the Japanese ace seems to be headed to LA.
Having said that, the Yankee fans are baffled by the Bronx Bombers’ conservative approach. The passionate fan base targeted Yankee’s leadership on the internet and opined that they could have done better. Yamamoto was the missing piece that could have made the 2024 season roster whole. But now, the team is staring at multiple holes in the pitching rotation.
