Nov 7, 2023; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman speaks to the media during the MLB General Manager's Meetings at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
How The Yankees Pivot After Yamamoto’s Snub
Despite being seen as the favorites in the industry for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, in the end, the New York Yankees lost out to the LA Dodgers in the sweepstakes. Yamamoto chose to take the 12-year offer north of $300 million to play beside his compatriot Shohei Ohtani. The key for the rest of the offseason is how the Yankees pivot after Yamamoto’s snub.
This deal forever changes the landscape of pitcher contracts, as it will be a marker for future deals. It also affects the landscape of the remaining pitching market, shooting up the prices further on remaining arms and increasing the need to spend judiciously as demand soars.
How Might the Yankees Pivot After Yamamoto’s Snub?
There were always rumors that Yamamoto wanted to play beside a Japanese teammate. Who better than arguably the best player in the game, and hero of Japanese baseball, Shohei Ohtani? Fresh off signing a mind-blowing $700 million deal in free agency to leave the Angels, Ohtani convinced the ace to follow him to LA.
As badly as the Yankees needed pitching, their biggest need this offseason was a lefty power bat and left-fielder. They accomplished this with the huge trade for possible future Hall of Famer Juan Soto. Soto, in a contract year, will benefit massively from the short porch at Yankee Stadium. He’ll also benefit from having fellow generational star Aaron Judge beside him. Expect a monstrous year from Soto protecting Judge in the lineup, with plenty of juicy pitches to hit in the Bronx for both stars.
Furthermore, the Yanks acquired Alex Verdugo in an underrated trade with the Red Sox. Verdugo should benefit from the change of scenery, and his lefty bat and energy should be a plus. Even in a down year, Verdugo’s numbers would have only been behind Gleyber Torres and Aaron Judge for the best on the team.
However, the Yankees admittedly need to pivot to plan B in the pitching market. They need to spend judiciously and not panic buy. Their offseason is still on course for success despite Yamamoto’s snub.
Yanks Lose Out on Yama
Few teams pursued Yamamoto longer than the Yankees did. New York sent a representative to every one of his starts last year. GM Brian Cashman himself was at his no-hitter. He was seen as front and center to the Yankees’ offseason plans. They even set aside the number 18 jersey for him–the ace jersey for Japanese pitchers.
