In the wake of depleting pitching depth, the New York Yankees sought reinforcement in Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They nearly had him before the Los Angeles Dodgers decided to make a late entry. Suddenly, the Bronx Bombers find themselves behind in the high-end sweepstakes.
Having said that, if not Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the New York Yankees need reinforcements in the pitching department. Presently, the rotation consists of only three regular starters, with the bullpen almost empty in the aftermath of off-season trades. Amid a shortage of arms, the Bombers were recently linked to a White Sox ace starter who remains on the trade block for this off-season.
Yankees Apparently Monitoring Dylan Cease’s Off-Season Availability!
If the New York Yankees fall short in Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes in the coming days, the team is looking at Chicago White Sox starter Dylan Cease as an alternative. Dylan is in his second arbitration year, and the White Sox are ready to move him for the right offer. Known for his electric fastball and improving secondary pitches, Cease has become a reliable starter, showcasing the potential to anchor a rotation. When healthy, the pitcher is surely a worthy candidate for Cy Young. He nearly missed out to Justin Verlander in 2022, which happened to be Dylan’s career-best season. He finished the year with a 2.20 ERA across 32 starts. Having said that, Cease makes a lot of sense for the Yanks.
Firstly, the pitcher started every game in his past four seasons with the Chicago White Sox, which is a perfect testament to his durability. Secondly, Dylan Cease still possesses above-average speed and bat-missing ability. While his run prevention was not up to the standards in 2023, the previous numbers are simply too good to ignore. The potential acquisition of Cease aligns with the Yankees’ strategy to bolster their rotation. Obviously, nobody can fit into Yamamoto’s shoes. But having an experienced ace at the helm would only benefit the Bombers in the longer run. With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon leading the rotation, Cease can play the role of an anchor. As the offseason unfolds, the Yankees’ pursuit of Dylan Cease will undoubtedly be closely monitored by fans and pundits alike. The outcome of these negotiations will certainly shape the team’s pitching staff for the upcoming season.
Jon Heyman Lists Yanks Favourites In Yoshinobu Yamamoto Sweepstakes!
While the fans have lost hope, MLB insider Jon Heyman urged them to hold on to hope for a little longer. In his latest article, Heyman explained that the New York Yankees’ first-ever official meeting with Yoshinobu Yamamoto went very well. The contingent comprising Hal Steinbrenner, Randy Levine, Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone, and Matt Blake flew all the way to LA to meet the ace.
Heyman feels that if it comes down to honor and prestige, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will choose the New York Yankees. Earlier, the pitcher was reportedly intrigued by the New York sports market and expressed intent to be a part of it. “Steinbrenner may have limits, but he’s showing this is one of those winters where he’s determined to improve the team,” wrote Jon Heyman.
