Yankees might be fit for elite closer via trade…

admin | December 17, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Rumor has it that at least two clubs, the Giants and the Red Sox, have made bids to Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto in excess of $300 million as of late Saturday afternoon.

The Yankees, Phillies, and Dodgers have all visited with Yamamoto, and the Blue Jays are likely to do so soon. I suppose we can all guess what number the winning bid will begin with.

Mark Feinsand of the MLB: At the very least, rumors about Yamamoto will circulate until he registers with an MLB organization. The obvious question right now is where he will wind up. Feinsand speculates, in an exceedingly vague and passive style, that “some” have chosen the Yankees as the ace right-hander’s most likely destination. Only hope remains.

Jim Bowden ($) of The Athletic: The Yankees, fresh after their blockbuster acquisition of Juan Soto, could possibly make another major trade. Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase is Jim Bowden’s third-most likely trade candidate this offseason. Furthermore, he believes the Yankees would be an excellent trading partner for the Guardians.

Bob Nightengale, USA Today: Nightengale delves into the conclusion of the most expensive free agency in MLB history in an exclusive conversation with Shohei Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo. While the Yankees did investigate Ohtani’s free agency (due diligence and all), they were never close to signing the megastar. Mets owner Steve Cohen has already stated that his team appears to have little interest in visiting New York. Honestly, after expressing little interest in going to New York when he first arrived in MLB, I’d be surprised if Ohtani had the Yanks at the top of his list of teams this winter. Shohei, best of luck in the National League.

We close with some late award news concerning Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge.

Congratulations to Gerrit Cole on earning First Team All-MLB honors, and to Aaron Judge on Second Team honors

Cole was named to the All-MLB First Team after earning his first career Cy Young Award, and Judge was named to the All-MLB Second Team after missing nearly two months due to the infamous toe injury at Dodger Stadium. Since 2019, Major League Baseball has included All-MLB accolades, and this is Cole’s third First Team selection and fourth overall; for Judge, it’s his third time on the All-MLB Team (albeit his first on the Second).