Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been on the New York Yankees’ radar for a while now. The front office, led by general manager Brian Cashman, scouted the ace in Japan, wherein he pitched a no-hitter game for Orix Buffaloes. Since then, the club has been waiting for him to enter MLB free agency.
The wait ended earlier this month as Yoshinobu Yamamoto got posted on the MLB portal. Having said that, raging competition can lead to a potential fallout, which should save the Yankees. But in case Yamamoto slips out of the Bronx Bombers’ hands, a couple of more Japanese options entered MLB this week.
NPB Pitcher Shota Imanaga Officially Posted On MLB! Yankees Likely To Make A Push!
New York Yankees’ dream pursuit of Yoshinobu Yamamoto could land in jeopardy owing to raging competition. Thus, the team must look for alternatives. One such alternative recently got posted on MLB. Reliever Shota Imanaga was posted on the MLB portal by his NPB team, Yokohama BayStar, on Monday, thus kicking off the 45-day negotiation window. Shota can either sign a deal by January 11 or go back to Nippon Professional Baseball. Imanaga, a 29-year-old southpaw, has been a standout pitcher in the NPB. His posting adds an intriguing dimension to the Yankees’ offseason plans, offering a viable option to enhance their pitching depth.
Left-handed pitching has been a focal point for the Yankees as they seek to balance their rotation. The addition of a southpaw like Imanaga could provide a valuable complement to their existing right-handed starters, adding diversity and strategic advantages in matchups. It’s worth noting that the Yankees released a couple of relievers at the non-tender deadline. Additionally, Michael King could likely be promoted to the starting rotation. Thus, the Bronx Bombers need strong bullpen arms going into the 2024 season. Remember, the bullpen remained the team’s biggest strength in the abysmal 2023 season. Thus, the Yanks would want to continue the momentum. Ultimately, as the offseason unfolds, Yanks fans will keenly watch the developments surrounding Shota Imanaga and the team’s pursuit of pitching reinforcements.
Naoyuki Uwasawa Also Posted By NPB!
Naoyuki Uwasawa, a right-handed pitcher, has made a name for himself in Japanese baseball, notably as a key member of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. His skills on the mound have garnered attention not only in Japan but also on the global baseball stage. He has a career 3.19 ERA in 1,000 innings and walked 5.9 percent of the hitters. He is the type of guy the New York Yankees can use in their bullpen.
The New York Yankees are actively seeking to reinforce their pitching staff, and Uwasawa represents an enticing option. His posting opens a window for MLB teams to engage in negotiations, and the Yankees, known for their interest in international talent, are poised to explore the possibility of adding the Japanese hurler to their roster. Having said that, the competition for Uwasawa’s services is expected to be fierce. Thus, the Yanks must stay on their feet to land the Japanese reliever.