With nearly two months into the off-season, the New York Yankees have failed to sign pitching reinforcements. The dreams of seeing Japanese phenomenon Yoshinobu Yamamoto in pinstripes came crashing down after the Bronx Bombers tabled the third-largest offer. While the Dodgers won the bid, the Yanks returned empty-handed.
Having said that, the New York Yankees do not have time to rest and must remain engaged in the pitching market. The starting rotation for the 2024 MLB season stands incomplete and could use a couple of arms. Meanwhile, an MLB insider put together a potential trade deal that could fetch the Bronx Bombers an elite starter from postseason rivals Houston Astros.
Yankees Linked To Astros’ Framber Valdez In Rare Trade Deal!
In a surprising turn of events, an MLB insider has crafted a potential blockbuster trade scenario that could see Houston Astros’ elite starter Framber Valdez donning the pinstripes for the New York Yankees. Valdez has emerged as one of the Astros’ standout pitchers in recent years. His ability to command a diverse pitch repertoire and generate strikeouts has made him a valuable asset for his side. Moreover, in 2023, the starter logged an All-Star-worthy season. He went 12-11 whilst posting a 3.45 ERA across 31 starts. While the pitcher posted decent numbers in 2023, his performance in 2022 was relatively much better. Regardless, Valdez delivered back-to-back 31 starts in the season, which speaks a lot about his durability.
Coming back to the trade package, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report suggested that to land Framber Valdez, the Yankees must part with No. 3 overall prospect, outfielder Everson Pereira, No. 4 prospect and right-handed starter Chase Hampton and No. 5 prospect, shortstop George Lombard Jr. Obviously, the exchange offer is too steep. But the Bronx Bombers would gain his control for the next three seasons. On the other hand, losing a pitcher of Valdez’s caliber would undoubtedly leave a void in the Astros’ rotation. However, the potential return package favors their best interest. Overall, the Bombers have an opportunity to seal off its rotation by adding Valdez to the roster. Keeping the rivalry behind, the Yankee front office must seek help from the Astros to elevate championship-winning chances for the impending season.
Yanks Lose Another Coaching Staff To The Mets!
After the New York Yankees lost bench coach Carlos Mendoza to the New York Mets, another coaching staff is headed in the same direction. Grayson Crawford officially announced on Thursday that he will join the Mets as Triple-A Syracuse pitching coach. Crawford previously held the same job at Yanks-affiliated Double-A Somerset Patriots. “I would like to thank the New York Yankees for the last two years,” Crawford said via X.
Earlier this off-season, the Bronx Bombers lost Aaron Boone’s close aide, Carlos Mendoza, to the Mets. Mendoza’s stint with the Yanks lasted for 12 years before he sought a promotion elsewhere. The Mets, under new leadership, offered him a manager’s role, which Mendoza accepted gracefully. Thus, ahead of the next season, the Yanks have multiple issues to address besides roster construction.