Yankees left to pivot as Yoshinobu Yamamoto signs record contract with Dodgers

After the way this past season went for the Yankees, there’s only one appropriate response for an organization that has championship expectations.

Red Sox lose out on Japanese righthander Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Make big changes.

After all, that’s what owner Hal Steinbrenner promised to an understandably infuriated fan base shortly after the offseason began. Captain Aaron Judge insisted prior to the conclusion of his team’s 82-win season that a lot of things about this organization need to be fixed.

Trading for Juan Soto was a start, a win-now move of epic proportions to inject a superstar outfielder into the heart of a lineup in desperate need of an upgrade. At that point, the focus shifted to signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a Japanese ace that was on the wish list of nearly every high-spending contender.

FIXING THE YANKEES:

Convincing Yamamoto to sign with the Yankees would’ve been a second leap toward fulfilling Steinbrenner’s vow. The Yankees were a favorite all the way until the end, bringing the entire fan base together, but ultimately, they’ll need to pivot in order to reinforce their starting staff

Yamamoto signed with the Dodgers on 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 that the Yankees gave Gerrit Cole a few years ago — and a deal that was handed to a player that has yet to throw his first MLB pitch. Jack Curry of YES Network was first to report that Yamamoto picked Los Angeles while ESPN’s Jeff Passan had the contract details.

Yamamoto’s decision is crushing for the Yankees. The organization was optimistic and confident throughout this entire courting process, meeting twice with the free agent. The fan base was all-in on the Japanese starter, ready to embrace “YamaSoto” mania for next season. Their pitch for Yamamoto to suit up in pinstripes and their offer of $300 million — as reported by SNY’s Andy Martino — simply fell short.

Dodgers reportedly agree to record-breaking deal with Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto – NBC Los Angeles

With Yamamoto picking the West Coast and a chance to team up with Shohei Ohtani, the Yankees are left with a rotation that includes Cole and a slew of question marks. Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes are damaged goods. While they have spectacular ceilings if they can stay healthy and recapture their top-shelf potential, they took significant steps away from that form in 2023, disappointing and injury-riddled campaigns. Clarke Schmidt is entering his second season as a full-time starter, coming off the biggest innings workload of his career, and it’s unclear if he’ll be able to improve. Prospects Clayton Beeter and Will Warren are seemingly in line, as of now, to compete for the fifth spot in that staff. Michael King would’ve been in the rotation while Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez could’ve helped provide depth, but each of those arms were sent to San Diego in the Soto deal.

The pressure is on for the Yankees to pivot, and do so with urgency. Other teams that missed on Yamamoto will also be looking to secure one or more of the remaining top-shelf starters that are still available. Ex-Yankees Jordan Montgomery and Frankie Montas, along with two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, are free agents. Brewers’ Corbin Burnes, Dylan Cease of the White Sox and Guardians’ Shane Bieber could be traded this winter as well.