Brian Cashman, New York Yankees general manager, made the front office’s intentions of landing outfielders clear during his controversial press interaction held earlier this month. However, outfield depth is not the Bronx Bombers only headache going ahead into the decisive off-season.
The lack of starting pitchers hurt the Yankees as much as the lack of offensive contributors did. Gerrit Cole’s CY Young-worthy season ending up in a playoff elimination is a perfect testament to how the pitching staff failed to support the ace. Thus, to curb the issue in 2024, the front office is eyeing two major starters apart from Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Yankees To Target Jordan Montgomery, Frankie Montas This Off-Season!
The New York Yankees’ pursuit of Yoshinobu Yamamoto is no longer a hidden secret. However, a lone reinforcement won’t do the job just yet for the Yanks. They need more arms, and eyeing the requirement, the front office has apparently set eyes on Jordan Montgomery and Frankie Montas. Jon Heyman of New York Post confirmed the same via an article. Montgomery served in the pinstripes for five years before the club moved him to the Cardinals in 2022. However, this season, the former Yankee showed signs of life as he contributed heavily to the Texas Rangers’ World Series campaign. Jordan’s resurgence has encouraged Yanks to opt for a reunion. However, whether Montgomery is up to don the pinstripes again or not remains a burning and important question.
On the other hand, the New York Yankees are also looking to extend Frankie Montas’ stay in the Bronx. The pitcher was traded from Athletics in 2022 but injuries kept him on IL for most part of his tenure. Montas underwent surgery earlier this year and surprisingly made a comeback during the final series vs. the Royals. Now, extending Montas seems like a pure gamble move. He missed two seasons due to a shoulder injury. Nothing that has unfolded so far suggests that 2024 would be any different. Rather than paying an injured guy to spend time on IL, use the money wisely on a much stronger alternative. Having said that, Jon Heyman further added that the Bombers have not enquired about anyone else, which suggests that Jordan Montgomery and Frankie Montas are their only pitching targets of the off-season.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s New Demand Put Yanks In A Fix!
Japanese ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s never-ending demands are jeopardizing the New York Yankees’ dream pursuit. The New York-based outfit is keen on having him in the Bronx. But Yamamoto is wary of entering the unknown territory. Thus, he wants to land in a team consisting of the pitcher’s Japanese counterparts.
As far as Yankees roster construction is concerned, they do not have any Japanese player in the active 40-man roster whatsoever. Now, will this unusual demand act as a deal breaker? Only time will tell. But the Bronx Bombers have to find a way to work things around with Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He is the team’s key to a potential championship. Perhaps raising monetary stakes would do the job for billionaire Hal Steinbrenner.