Yoshinobu Yamamoto was undoubtedly the most fiercely chased MLB free agent this off-season. The New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers fought it out for Yamamoto till the very end. But eventually, the Dodgers emerged victorious and signed the pitcher in a record 10-year $325 million contract,
Having said that, the New York Yankees were left heartbroken by Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s decision. They actively considered themselves as the top landing spot. But Yamamoto’s last-minute change of heart left the Bronx Bombers surprised. Meanwhile, the Japanese ace recently opened up to Joel Sherman about the factors that drove him to the LA Dodgers this off-season.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Touted Dodgers A More Successful Team Over Yankees!
The failed pursuit of Yoshinobu Yamamoto took the New York Yankees fanbase by surprise as the club had positioned itself as the top landing destination. Also, the LA Dodgers hadn’t even entered the sweepstakes until the final two weeks. So, what went wrong behind the scenes? Besides the additional $25 million, Yamamoto was lured away from Los Angeles’ atmosphere and living standards. Aaron Boone, the Yankee skipper, claimed the same during a public event with the Talkin Yanks. Boone added that since he set foot in the United States, he has lived in LA, which played a crucial role in his final contract decision. Additionally, the presence of the pitcher’s Japanese counterpart, Shohei Ohtani, strengthened the Dodger’s pursuit, and the rest is history.
However, Yoshinobu Yamamoto recently spoke with Joel Sherman of the New York Post and squashed Aaron Boone’s claim. He suggested that location preference had too little part to play in his final free agency decision. The key factor that drew him to the Dodgers was the latter’s successful campaigns in the recent past. Yamamoto added that the atmosphere within the clubhouse and stadium was something he adored. While the Yanks also pitched him aggressively and desperately, the pitcher eventually had to make the hard choice. Having said that, Yamamoto’s recent comments suggest that Bronx Bombers 2023 season fallout had a huge role to play in the Japanese ace’s free agency decision. He lost faith and belief in the Yanks and dumped New York for Los Angeles. It’s safe to say losing Yamamoto to an Ohtani-led Dodgers is a big loss for the Bombers ahead of the 2024 season.
Yanks Settled With Marcus Stroman After Fallout With Yamamoto
After losing a crucial pursuit of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the New York Yankees launched a search for fallback options. However, no MLB pitcher came close to the Japanese ace’s talent and formidable skillset. While the Bronx Bombers tried to seal a deal with Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, the negotiations didn’t come through.
Eventually, the New York Yankees settled with Marcus Stroman. The ex-Cubs starter signed a two-year $37 million deal with a third-year vesting option. Stroman will feature in the team’s starting five-man rotation for the upcoming MLB season. While Stroman is not as good as Yamamoto, his commitment to the franchise will surely yield good results.
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