The New York Yankees are pulling out all the stops this offseason.
After a disappointing and borderline embarrassing 2023 season, the Yankees want to return to World Series contention.
To do so they knew they needed to improve their roster.
They took a significant step in that direction by trading for superstar Juan Soto.
Soto is one of the best players in baseball and now he gets to share a lineup with Aaron Judge.
But, the Yankees are far from done when it comes to adding talent.
It appears they are focused on adding more starting pitching.
One player they want to sign is Japanese pitching star Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
He might be the best Japanese player since Shohei Ohtani and has all the traits of a Cy Young candidate.
According to FOX Sports: MLB, the Yankees gave Yamamoto a No. 18 jersey when they met with him.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, “It’s his if he wants to keep it.”
Aaron Boone gave Yoshinobu Yamamoto a number 18 jersey when the Yankees met with him
h/t @BrendanKutyNJ pic.twitter.com/rZOysxrBhx
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 21, 2023
Spending money has never been an issue for the Yankees.
They consistently have one of the highest payrolls in baseball.
Just adding Soto will not be enough for the Yankees to unseat some of the top AL teams.
They need more pitching and it has become clear Yamamoto is their guy.
It will be intriguing to see what type of contract Yamamoto signs.
But, it appears the total deal will be in the range of $300 million.
Whichever team ends up with Yamamoto is going to be getting one of the most hyped pitchers in the sport.
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