When asked about the New York Yankees’ top off-season concern, the general manager immediately said outfielders. Cashman said they need two outfielders to bury the holes in the left and center field. Subsequently, the club managed to address those concerns by signing Juan Soto, Trent Grisham, and Alex Verdugo at winter meetings.
However, the repercussion of the trades depleted the Yankees pitching depth completely. While the Yanks gave away four major league-ready pitchers for Soto to acquire Verdugo, the club has to part with a couple of top-tier prospects. Having said that, before setting foot in the 2024 season, the Bronx Bombers need one big addition to build a robust starting rotation.
Yankees Must Sign A Starter Before Market Shrinks!
The New York Yankees, an organization with a storied history, find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to their starting rotation. The lost 2023 season exposed the vulnerabilities of the starting rotation, with inconsistent performances, injuries, and a lack of reliable depth. While Gerrit Cole delivered a CY Young season, the rest of the pack crumbled. Every pitcher not named Cole went 32-46 with a 5.06 ERA across 611.2 innings. Thus, heading into the 2024 season, these miscues must be reversed. And to begin with, the Bronx Bombers must bring in reinforcements. For starters, the club’s starting rotation for the upcoming season will consist of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Nestor Cortes. The rest of the two spots are up for grabs.
While Clarke Schmidt could be the fifth option, the Yankees still need one big name for the fourth spot. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has remained linked to the team for the longest time. But the uncertainties still loom owing to incessant competition. Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell are alternatives if Yamamoto falls out of the Yank’s grip. But that pursuit would require the front office to make a move now. Snell and Montgomery are elite arms, and it wouldn’t be too long before they find potent suitors. Having said that, the competition for quality starting pitchers in the free-agent and trade markets is fierce. The Yanks must navigate this landscape adeptly, identifying undervalued assets, exploring trade scenarios, and making calculated investments. A keen understanding of free agency dynamics and the ability to negotiate effectively will be crucial.
Yanks Still Leading Yoshinobu Yamamoto Sweepstakes!
That being said, rumors had it that the New York Yankees could lose Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the LA Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani’s decision to defer contract salary allowed the Dodgers to chase Yamamoto aggressively. Not only that, the team apparently hosted the ace pitcher in LA, surrounded by franchise greats. However, a particular MLB insider is still filled with high hopes.
Andy Martino of SNY claimed that the Yankees are front runners to land Yoshinobu Yamamoto this off-season. While the Dodgers and Mets pose a serious threat, the Bronx Bombers held positive discussions with the ace earlier this week and are in good spirits. Having said that, Yamamoto is expected to make up his mind by the weekend, as his 45-day negotiation window will come to an end soon.
