In being honest — and unexpectedly funny — New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman may have blown a chance at signing the best pitcher in this winter’s free agent market.
After a disappointing season where the team fell well below their high standard with an 82-80 record, the New York Yankees are in the early stages of an interesting offseason. While the team could certainly use some upgrades to the roster, all indications are they will be more conservative with their spending this winter.
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However, if there is one player they may splurge on — besides two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani — it’s Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Orix Buffaloes star’s profile has increased significantly over the last couple of months as his expected suitor list has expanded following a fantastic season in 2023. One of those teams expected to pursue him is the Yankees.
New York Yankees could be stone-walled by Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s agent
Unfortunately, the organization’s GM may have severly hampered those chances recently. Earlier this week, Cashman gave an honest response when he was asked about the chances veteran slugger Giancarlo Stanton can stay on the field more often in 2024.
“We try to limit the time he’s down,” Cashman told the New York Daily News. “But I’m not gonna tell you he’s gonna play every game next year because he’s not. He’s going to wind up getting hurt again more likely than not because it seems to be part of his game.”
Well, it seems that Stanton’s agent, Joel Wolfe, did not take kindly to the critique of his client. “I read the context of the entire interview. I think it’s a good reminder for all free agents considering signing in New York both foreign and domestic that to play for that team you’ve got to be made of Teflon, both mentally and physically because you can never let your guard down even in the offseason,” Wolfe told The Athletic on Tuesday.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats (2023): 17-6, 1.16 ERA, 0.860 WHIP, 176 SO, 171.0 IP
The agent’s strong response and reaction is notable because, you might have guessed it, he is also the representation for impending free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
In the end, an agent must do what is in the best interest of their client. However, grudges are certainly held, and with the comments being so close to the start of MLB free agency, it would not at all be surprising if Wolfe worked hard to steer the Japanese ace to another team in the next month.
