After the way in which last season went for the Yankees, there is only one suitable response for an organization that has championship expectations.Make major changes.
After all, that is what owner Hal Steinbrenner promised an understandably furious fan base shortly after the low season started. Captain Aaron Judge insisted on the conclusion of the 82-win season of his team that many things about this organization have to be solved. Acting for Juan Soto was a start, a win-now step of epic proportions to inject a superstar outfileer in the heart of a line-up in desperate need for an upgrade. At this point, attention shifted to the signing of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a top-tier Japanese player who was on almost every big-spending prospect’s wish list. Convincing Yamamoto to sign with the Yankees would have been a second step toward fulfilling Steinbrenner’s promise. The Yankees were favorites all the way and had quite the fan base, but they will ultimately need to pivot to strengthen their starting lineup.Yamamoto signed with the Dodgers Thursday night, agreeing to a 12-year, $325 million contract with Los Angeles. It’s the largest contract in guaranteed dollars ever for a starting pitcher – more than the $324 million the Yankees gave Gerrit Cole a few years ago – and a deal made with a player making his MLB debut -Pitch has not yet been launched. YES Network’s Jack Curry was first to report that Yamamoto had chosen Los Angeles, while ESPN’s Jeff Passan had the contract details. Yamamoto’s decision is devastating for the Yankees. The organization was optimistic and confident throughout the interview process and met with the free agent twice. The fan base was fully committed to the Japanese starter and ready to embrace the “YamaSoto” madness next season. Their suggestion that Yamamoto wear a pinstripe suit and their offer of $300 million – as SNY’s Andy Martino reported – simply failed. With Yamamoto choosing the West Coast and a chance to team with Shohei Ohtani, the Yankees are left with a rotation with Cole and a lot of question marks. Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes are damaged goods. While they have spectacular ceilings if they can stay healthy and regain their maximum potential, they are significant steps away from that form in 2023 with disappointing, injury-riddled campaigns. Entering his second season as a full-time starter, Clarke Schmidt is coming off the biggest innings workload of his career, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to improve. Prospects Clayton Beeter and Will Warren appear to be in line to battle for the fifth spot on that staff as of now. Michael King would have been in the rotation, while Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez could have provided depth, but each of these weapons was sent to San Diego in the Soto deal. There is pressure for the Yankees to change, and to do so urgently. The other teams that lost Yamamoto will also be looking to secure one or more of their remaining top-tier starters still available. Former Yankees Jordan Montgomery and Frankie Montas, along with two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, are free agents. The Brewers’ Corbin Burnes, the White Sox’s Dylan Cease and the Guardians’ Shane Bieber also could be traded this winter.
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