While the New York Yankees are one of the favorites to sign Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, there is a real chance they could fail in that pursuit. If they do, they reportedly will still be very “aggressive” in free agency to bolster their starting rotation for 2024.
After the Los Angeles Dodgers gave two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani a record-shattering 10-year, $700 million contract a couple of weeks ago, the biggest chase in MLB free agency now centers on countrymen Yoshinbou Yamamoto.
The three-time Nippon Professional Baseball MVP is seen as a player who could be a star for the next decade since he is already a dominant force in Asia at just 25 years old. That is why every big market club in MLB is pursuing the pitcher, including the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and San Francisco Giants.
Heading into the week, the Yankees were viewed as a favorite to land him due to the appeal the Pinstripes brand has to many players in Japan. However, the Dodgers have a strong chance with Ohtani being part of the recent pitch to Yamamoto, and the Mets have the money and desire to outbid every other team. So it is very possible the Yankees do not win these sweepstakes.
That is why The Athletic MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported on Sunday that the organization is planning for that possibility and is still expected to be “aggressive” in the free agent market to strengthen the rotation behind American League Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole.
Yamamoto may be a generational talent and worth the $300 million he could potentially receive. With the Yankees reportedly hoping to avoid hitting the next payroll tax threshold fans shouldn’t assume they would be willing to pay the same for NL Cy Young Blake Snell. Furthermore, they are unlikely to swing a big trade since they would like to hold on to their top prospects after giving up a couple of them in the Juan Soto trade.
With that in mind, let’s look at five free-agent pitchers the New York Yankees could target if they don’t win the Yamamoto sweepstakes.
5 free agent pitchers New York Yankees could target
Marcus Stroman
Marcus Stroman would be a very interesting option for the Yankees in free agency. The former Blue Jays and Mets pitcher is a New York Native and has performed well in big market spotlights during his career. Following a strong season for the Cubs this season, Stroman is in the midst of his prime and would be a reliable No. 2 but great No. 3 in the rotation, if Carlos Rodon can recapture his previous form in 2024.
Clayton Kershaw
If the Yankees lose Yamamoto to the Dodgers, luring away one of the greatest pitchers in LA history, Clayton Kershaw, could be a good short-term option to bolster the starting rotation. There are certainly injury concerns for the 10-time All-Star, however, he is still pitching at a high level when he does take the mound and he could be had for an affordable rate compared to some of the contracts top-line pitchers will get this offseason.
Jordan Montgomery
In Rosenthal’s report, it was mentioned that the Yankees are interested in a reunion with homegrown product Jordan Montgomery and it is understandable why. After being traded last year, Montgomery has seemingly leveled up and came up big for the Texas Rangers down the stretch of the season and during their playoff run to the 2023 World Series.
What is also important is that he already knows the New York market and can perform at a high level under the heat and pressure of the rabid Yankees fanbase. Plus he would also come at a reasonable price.
Related: Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees co-favorites to land Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Frankie Montas
Along with a possible reunion with Montgomery, there have been rumblings that the organization would be interested in bringing back Frankie Montas. While he has been a massive disappointment after being traded to New York last year, at only 30 years old he could be a low-cost option with high upside as he continues his return following Tommy John surgery.
Shota Imanaga
It was reported earlier this week that if the New York Yankees fail to sign Yamamoto they could target his World Baseball Classic teammate Shota Imanaga. While Imanaga is older than Yamamoto and doesn’t have the same upside, he performed similarly to countryman Kodai Senga during his career in Japan.
Senga was an All-Star for the Mets in his debut this season and similar production at an affordable rate would be a big win for the Yankees in 2024.