The New York Yankees want to have a great offseason. After a terrible 2023 season, the 27-time champions plan to make some significant changes this offseason. They realize it now that the roster they maintained for the last few seasons is not good enough to win the titles. Or even help the team to make the postseason after what happened this year. However, the Yankees want to sign the biggest international name available in the market right now.
And it is not a slugger but a pitcher from Japan. Moreover, the Yankees quite eagerly wanted to sign the Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, they are not alone, as several MLB teams want to pursue Yamamoto. But the biggest threat to the NY side is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers may have a bigger capital than the Yankees to sign the biggest international free agent.
What If The Dodgers Snatch Away Yoshinobu Yamamoto From The Yankees?
As per Andy Martino of SNY, the Dodgers really want to sign Shohei Ohtani. But if they don’t get the unicorn they will jump on the opportunity to sign the other Japanese sensation. Hence, the Dodgers are a big threat to the chances of the Yankees as well as the New York Mets. Clearly, the 25-year-old pitcher is expecting a massive market for himself this offseason. In the current offseason, the Yankees are the favorites to land Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He will be an expensive deal for the NY franchise. But the Bronx Bombers can pair him with Gerrit Cole if they want.
Then, they can have one of the best rotations on paper. Moreover, Brian Cashman and his front office have a lot of work to do this offseason. Clearly, the NY side will have to go through stiff competition for their choice of the top free agent. If the Yankees can sign Soto, Bellinger, and Yamamoto, it will be a dream come true. But even if they sign at least one of them, then they’ll have a realistic chance to make the postseason and go further in the next season.
If Not Yamamoto, The NY Side Will Be Desperate To Sign Soto Or Bellinger
Moreover, it has been more than a decade since the NY side made it to the “Big Dance.” After all, no other team has been as successful as the Yankees in the history of the league. But the team has been disappointing the fans for the last few seasons. Anyway, the franchise is planning to bring changes in their roster, coaching, analytics, and so on departments. Moreover, Captain Aaron Judge even mentioned about the importance of philosophical changes in the organization.
But the Bronx Bombers are looking to bolster their roster with lefty hitters like Juan Soto and Cody Bellinger. They need some superstar lefty outfielder, and for that, Soto of the San Diego Padres is an ideal choice. But for Soto, it will cost the Yankees some fortune as he’s not even a free agent yet. Hence, the other better choice is Cody Bellinger, whose lineage has links with the Yankees. Moreover, Bellinger is arguably the biggest lefty outfielder available in the market at present.