The New York Yankees are looking to have a great offseason. They really need the offseason trades to go well. After all, they had a terrible season this year. The fans called it their worst season in the last thirty years. Anyhow, the Yankees are keeping a close eye on the free agents available in the market. Lately, the media linked the NY side with the lefty outfielder Cody Bellinger. In fact, the Yankees were a contender to land Bellinger last year as well.
Moreover, the Bronx Bombers would like to see if they can land the big fish available in the market, that’s Shohei Ohtani. But it will be very challenging to land the two-time MVP. Speaking of international players, the Yankees are a contender to sign Jung Hoo Lee from South Korea. But the Yankees are more keen to land quality Japanese pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imagana. However, the NY side has a good pitching department. But they need lefty hitters and players who can bolster their offense.
Yankees Might Sign Jung Hoo Lee This Offseason
As per the New York Post, more or less 20 teams will show interest in landing the Korean outfielder, and the Yankees are one of them. In fact, they are one of the prominent teams to show interest in Lee Jung-Hoo. Other prominent teams who would like to sign the Korean outfielder are the San Diego Padres, the San Francisco Giants, and so on. According to multiple reports, the Kiwoom Heroes will post Lee in early December to let 30 teams try and bid for him. Moreover, Lee won’t cost as much as Yamamoto.
The Japanese pitcher might cost $200 million, excluding the posting fee. But as per MLB Trade Rumors, Lee will only cost $50 million over five years. Moreover, the Yankees lack depth when it comes to the outfielders on their roster. Besides Aaron Judge, they have young players like Oswaldo Cabrera, Jasson Dominguez, Everson Pereira, and Estevan Florial. Among them, Dominguez will miss most of the next season as he had Tommy John Surgery.
Why The Bronx Bombers Have Disappointed The Fans For More Than A Decade?
Moreover, the NY side has been disappointing the fans constantly in the last few years. It has been a long time since 2009, when they last won the World Series. Moreover, it was the last time they reached the World Series. The fans expected more from the 27-time champions. But it has been more than a decade that they have disappointed the fans. Moreover, captain Aaron Judge mentioned early in the offseason that the team will make significant changes this offseason.
The 16th captain of the franchise’s history also mentioned their aim is to make it to the “Big Dance” after so many years. Hence, the Yankees will make changes in the roster, coaching department, analytics and philosophies, and so on. But the biggest change that the team needs is in their outfield. In 2023, the NY side had too many injury issues to deal with. It really cost them heavily. In fact, the too-long Injured List was a major factor for the Yankees’ failure to make the postseason.
