SKUBAL OFF THE BOARD & THE YANKEES GOT UGATZ

The trade deadline is supposed to separate contenders from pretenders. Saturday night, the Dodgers reminded everyone exactly who they are.

Tarik Skubal, arguably the best left-handed pitcher in baseball and a back-to-back American League Cy Young winner, is headed to Los Angeles. The rich got richer, adding another ace to a rotation that already features Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and with Tyler Glasnow working their way back.

That's what organizations do when winning is the only thing that matters.

The Braves weren't sitting around either. They landed Lane Thomas to improve their club.

And the Yankees?

Brian Cashman's big splash so far is... two prospects from Pittsburgh for Camilo Doval that most fans have never even heard of.

Seriously?

Is this really how the trade deadline is going to play out? Because if it is, it's complete garbage.

Year after year, Cashman talks about being aggressive. Year after year, the Yankees get lapped by organizations that actually understand the assignment. The Dodgers identify elite talent and go get it. The Yankees identify "organizational depth" and hope nobody notices.

This isn't about demanding every superstar in baseball. It's about showing some urgency. The Yankees have obvious holes on this roster, yet Cashman continues to operate like he's protecting the farm system for a future that never seems to arrive.

Enough already.

The Yankees aren't supposed to be stockpiling mystery prospects while the Dodgers are collecting Cy Young winners. They're supposed to be chasing championships.

There's still time to change the narrative, but the clock is ticking. If Cashman's answer to the Dodgers landing Skubal and the Braves adding Lane Thomas is a pair of anonymous minor leaguers, then don't insult Yankees fans by calling this a successful deadline.

Call it what it is.

We may be looking at another failure from a front office that's become far too comfortable with mediocrity. And if this deadline ends the way it's started, it will once again expose the biggest weakness in the Yankees organization—and it isn't on the field. 

It's sitting in Brian Cashman's chair.

REPORT SUGGESTS YANKS MISSED OUT ON TATSUYA IMAI

Looks like Tatsuya Imai may have a deal, and it ain't with the Yankees. It should surprise no one.

Oh, Happy New Year by the way. I am going to be totally positive this year. A positivity that can only be created with the vision of sunshine and rainbows. But I live in the Northeast near the Bronx, and it's cold, there's snow and oh yea, the Yankees aren't improving their team. So, there's that.

In my first post of 2026, I can report that the Yanks do not have a deal with Imai. The Astros reportedly do.  Houston finalized a deal with Imai on Thursday, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan: three years, $54 million guaranteed, with escalators that can push it to $63 million and opt-outs sprinkled in for good measure. Clean. Aggressive. Purposeful. Three words the Yankees keep pretending apply to them.

Imai entered the posting system as one of the more intriguing arms available this winter, largely because he resembled recent postseason standouts Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Trey Yesavage. And because no Boras client is allowed to exist without myth-making, Scott Boras went full carnival barker and compared Imai to Yamamoto, the World Series MVP. Scott—please—everyone knows the rule: comparisons are earned after outs, not press releases. Stop. You are terrible for the game of baseball.

What made this signing sting even more was how completely it came out of left field. Newsweek nailed the confusion perfectly, writing:

“Tatsuya Imai, the 27-year-old Japanese right-hander, had until Friday to sign with a major league team before his posting window closed. But in the weeks and days leading up to that deadline, no one seemed to have much information on which teams Imai was favoring.

Almost nobody linked Imai to the Houston Astros throughout his free agency process. Once reports surfaced that he’d signed with Houston, however, the fit immediately made sense.”

That’s Astros baseball in a nutshell: silence, competence, and then—boom—an improved roster. No leaks. No posturing. Just execution.

Meanwhile, the Yankees were once again “linked,” “connected,” and “very interested,” which has become the modern Bronx equivalent of thoughts and prayers. Multiple reports suggested the Yankees were among the favorites to land Imai, hoping to bolster a rotation that desperately needs upside. And yet, when it came time to actually do something, the Yankees did what they’ve mastered this offseason—nothing.

To be fair, YES Network’s Jack Curry had already hinted the interest wasn’t nearly as real as fans believed. As usual, Curry was right. He’s been right so often that at this point Yankees fans should just skip the rumors and wait for Jack's report. He cuts through it.

However you want to spin it, the ending is unavoidable: the Astros made a real move. The Yankees did not. Houston identified a need and attacked it. The Yankees hovered nearby, admired the idea, and went back to shopping the bargain aisle.

And that’s the most deflating part. This offseason isn’t about losing players—it’s about not fighting for them. While rivals quietly get better, the Yankees keep selling patience, restraint, and long-term flexibility. Great. Wonderful. Very inspiring.

Just don’t ask how any of that helps win now.

TATSUYA IMAI IS THE BREATH OF FRESH AIR I WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO....UNTIL NOW!

Another Japanese player has posted to sign with a MLB team, that's no surprise. In fact, when the news first broke that it was happening I shrugged it off and didn't even spend ten seconds thinking about it. After all, the Yankees have not had any recent success in attracting Japanese talent to the Bronx. It feels like it has been forever and the idea of trying these days just feels silly.

But is it silly? I'm not going to hold my breath just yet because Tatsuya Imai is still in the middle of a 45-day posting window and even though the Yankees are "in the mix" we have all heard that story before. The Yankees are always tied to every big name on the free agent market and potential trade bait players. That isn't going to change anytime soon, but something else just might....

Right now the Dodgers are the mecca of Japanese baseball players with Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki all on their roster. It's an assumption now that any Japanese stud is going to end up in Dodger blue, but Imai would rather play against them and beat them then suit up with them, read more HERE. 

It's refreshing to hear that, honestly. I was in that mindset of "oh he's just going to be a Dodger too" and didn't even entertain the idea of him playing anywhere else, let alone the Yankees. But he doesn't want to be one of them instead he would rather experience "winning against a team like that and becoming a world champion would be the most valuable thing in my life. If anything, I'd rather take them down."

And isn't that what we all want? The Dodgers have won two championships in a row. They are focused on being the next dynasty.... you know that thing we used to have. I'm focused on not only winning but also making sure they don't get that dynasty they are looking for.

 Imai sounds like he has the confidence on the field and off the field to do that. We've heard a lot about comraderies being important to Japanese stars coming over here. The Dodgers can certainly give that, but Imai doesn't want that. "If there were another Japanese player on the same team, I could just ask them about anything, right?" Imai said. "But that's actually not what I'm looking for. In a way, I want to experience that sense of survival. When I come face-to-face with cultural differences, I want to see how I can overcome them on my own -- that's part of what I'm excited about."

And reading that excites me, honestly. This guy sounds like a gamer. He's not afraid of making it in a new country and culture and figuring things out on his own. I think it is refreshing and actually makes me interested in him now. He sounds like the type of gamer we need on this team. 

So now he's piqued my interest at least. Even if the Yankees don't sign him, the fact that he wants to play against the Dodgers and beat them piques my interest. I wish the Yankees could target these players that have the confidence, attitude and skill....it could be a game changer.

So, I wasn't paying attention to Imai before.... but now I am. Even if we don't sign him, I will just be happy if he stays away from Los Angeles. But seriously, Hal Steinbrenner I know you are paying attention to this.....open up your wallet and go get him! 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

YANKEES CREEP INTO "FAVORITE" STATUS FOR TATSUYA IMAI

Yankees fans, rejoice—or at least pretend you know what’s going on. Word is the Bronx Bombers have emerged as one of the favorites to land three-time NPB All-Star Tatsuya Imai. And yes, relax, you’re not alone: most of us needed Google to figure out who this guy is, too.

Imai, a 27-year-old righty for the Saitama Seibu Lions, has been lighting up Japan since 2018. He’s made three All-Star teams, carries a career 58–45 record with a tight 3.15 ERA, and he’s officially being posted on November 19. After that, MLB teams will have 45 days to woo him—or he packs his bags and heads back to Japan.

MLB Network’s David Vassegh has already tossed the Yankees’ name into the rumor tornado, grouping them with the Phillies, Blue Jays, Mets, and Padres. Apparently, according to Vassegh’s “Japanese friends”—his words, not mine—the Yankees are right in the thick of it.

The competition makes sense: all these teams desperately need arms for 2026 and beyond. And Imai’s arsenal is the type that front offices drool over. We’re talking a fastball up to 99, a biting slider, and a changeup that makes hitters look like they forgot their glasses. Control used to be an issue, but he’s sharpened that up—so much so that he just posted a 1.92 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Not bad… though, let’s be real, NPB hitters aren’t exactly the same beasts lurking in MLB lineups.

The elephant in the room? Kei Igawa PTSD...for me at least. Big, glowing, neon PTSD. Yankee fans don’t need another reminder that not every Japanese pitcher is the next Tanaka; sometimes you get the guy who makes you dive behind the couch every fifth day.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are watching the Dodgers printing money, collecting Japanese stars like they’re Pokémon cards—Ohtani, Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki—and they seem to think they can just… copy-paste that blueprint. Here’s the catch: the Dodgers actually spend money. The Yankees? They talk about spending money and then they get a guy like Frankie Montas. Totally different.

Stay tuned. This could get interesting. Or it could get very, very Yankee. We shall see.

QUESTIONS SURROUND THE DODGERS & ROKI SASAKI

I couldn’t believe it when I saw the news. I found it strange for many reasons, but knowing what the Dodgers already have, and now they had Roki Sasaki, it was like that 3 headed monster from the old Godzilla series...Ghidorah.

From Roki Sasaki they quickly signed reliever Tanner Scott. I mean how good are the Dodgers going to be? And how much money do they have? This isn’t just another big move—it’s yet another chapter in what has become an almost suspiciously successful saga for the Dodgers. Let’s not forget they landed Shohei Ohtani just last year. Now, reports are there are whispers of an investigation are gaining momentum, and frankly, it’s not hard to see why.

Jim Bowden, The Athletic's MLB insider and a former executive, has already sounded the alarm. He suspects that the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets are gearing up to call for an inquiry into the Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers' latest acquisition of Roki Sasaki. On the Foul Territory podcast, Bowden didn’t mince words: “I think you’re going to find that multiple teams are going to ask the commissioner’s office to investigate this particular signing. Several front offices believe there was a precut deal between the Dodgers and Roki Sasaki before the negotiation window even opened.”

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. The timing and nature of this Sasaki signing make it hard to dismiss the notion of a pre-arranged deal. Sasaki's camp has denied it, but the denials themselves are almost too strong, almost too rehearsed. As Bowden elaborated that the denials were so strong that it made you scratch your head. We were told "that a small market" would be more suitable for Sasaki, given the issues he faced with the media in Japan. Endorsements were cited as a significant factor, and Los Angeles was supposedly a poor fit due to the looming presence of Ohtani and Yamamoto. Yet, here we are, with all signs pointing toward a possible precut agreement.

Consider the logic. Sasaki, a pitcher with a reputation for being media-shy, was expected to gravitate toward a smaller market where he wouldn’t have to endure the intense spotlight that comes with playing in a big city like Los Angeles. On top of that, the Dodgers already have Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, two towering figures in baseball. The narrative was that Sasaki wouldn’t want to play in their shadow, especially in a market as scrutinized as LA. And yet, the Dodgers pulled it off.

Conveniently, all those “reasons” for Sasaki to avoid LA suddenly don’t seem to matter.

This isn’t the first time the Dodgers have seemingly defied expectations in the free-agent market. Their ability to land star players almost effortlessly has raised eyebrows before, but this time, it’s pushing rival teams over the edge. There’s a sense that the rules might have been bent, or worse, outright broken.

The league’s competitive balance is at stake. If the Dodgers are indeed engaging in backdoor deals, it’s not just about unfairly bolstering their roster—it’s about eroding trust in the system that’s supposed to give every team a fair shot at signing top talent. The potential investigation could uncover practices that might force the MLB to rethink how it governs free-agent negotiations.  But much like the Astros cheating scandal, Rob Manfred will no doubt see no wrongdoing and force everyone to move on, and that is how it will all go down.

It’s no wonder teams like the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Mets are reportedly considering pushing for an investigation in my opinion. The Dodgers have consistently outmaneuvered them, and this latest series of signings just feel weird. If the commissioner’s office does launch an inquiry, it could reshape the landscape of MLB free agency for years to come. But believe me, Manfred would rather not disturb his kingdom and so nothing will happen... but I am suspicious.

For now, the Dodgers bask in their latest triumph, but the shadow of suspicion looms large. The baseball world waits to see if this house of cards will come tumbling down, exposing the machinations that may have fueled their meteoric rise. 

One thing’s certain—I back Bowden on this one. I believe this story is far from over.

HOG DODGERS BAG ANOTHER JAPANESE PHENOM

Well, well, well. It seems the Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again. Just when you thought they couldn’t possibly stuff any more Japanese talent into their overflowing roster, they’ve gone and snatched up Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese pitching sensation whose fastball casually cruises past 100 mph. Yep, the Dodgers are basically the piggy bank of MLB, hoarding all the shiny coins, and now they’ve added Sasaki to their already sparkling collection. They're hog slobs.

In a move that surprised absolutely no one, Sasaki took to Instagram to announce his intentions to sign with you guessed it the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Sorry, Yankees, Marlins, Red Sox – you guys never really had a shot. The Dodgers, sitting pretty on the West Coast, holding all the cards, are now the undisputed kings of MLB.

Remember those good old days when the Yankees and Red Sox had that heated rivalry, battling it out for the likes of Hideki Matsui, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Masahiro Tanaka? Yeah, that’s ancient history. Back then, the East Coast was all the rage. Now? It’s clear as day – the Dodgers are the new dynasty, and the East Coast teams are left picking up the scraps.

Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and now Roki Sasaki – it’s like the Dodgers have a direct line to Japan, or maybe a magnet that pulls in every top-tier Japanese pitcher. What’s that? San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays were also in the mix? Cute. But let's be honest, they were just there to fill out the roster of potential suitors.

Sasaki’s Instagram post was all humble gratitude, thanking his supporters and expressing his excitement about wearing the Dodgers uniform. He called it a tough decision, but let’s face it, how tough could it really be when the Dodgers come knocking? It's LA, baby! Dammit!

And let’s not forget all that agent chatter about small-market teams – yeah, that clearly went straight out the window. LA is massive, much like NY, but with better weather and fewer existential crises about whether the team will make it past the postseason.

So here we are, with Sasaki joining Ohtani and the gang, setting up the Dodgers for even more domination. They came to win, and they’re here to win for a long, long time. The rest of the league? Well, you might want to start scouting the next generation of international talent, because the Dodgers are playing on a whole different level.

Good for Roki. Good for the Dodgers. But let's be clear, the Yankees have done terrific things this offseason, so it's time to focus on them now that this guy went west.  

Let's go Yanks! I smell a World Series rematch!

YANKEES "CONFIDENT" IN SASAKI PURSUIT

Ken Rosenthal has declared the New York Yankees as one of the top contenders in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes, and Yankees fans are buzzing like a stadium full of vuvuzelas. "...it certainly seems like the teams that we've heard mentioned—the Dodgers, the Mets, the Yankees, the Padres, the Rangers, and some others—those are the obvious front-runners based on simply the fact that they have met with Sasaki and other teams have not," Rosenthal said, fanning the flames of speculation like a tabloid with a juicy rumor.

For Yankees supporters, this news is like a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth—or better yet, like finding an extra slice of pizza in the box. However, it doesn't fully capture how confident the Yankees' front office is feeling about landing the Japanese sensation. Bryan Hoch reports that the Yanks are riding a wave of optimism, and it's not just from their morning coffee.

"The Yankees thought they had realistic shots at Shohei Ohtani and Yamamoto too," Hoch noted. "But I think that if there is not a geographical preference here... if that's not in play, the Yankees feel like they've put together a solid proposal and have really laid it out."

The Bronx Bombers believe they have a winning hand. They've rolled out the red carpet for Sasaki, complete with pinstripe patterns and maybe even a hot dog stand or two. "They have a history of Japanese players who have come to the Yankees and enjoyed their time there, becoming really recognizable stars," Hoch added. "New York, if you want to be in a major market, that might be the place for you."

It's a high-stakes game, and the Yankees are all in. Will Sasaki don the famous pinstripes? Only time will tell, but the excitement in the air is undeniable—like the smell of garlic fries at Yankee Stadium.

SASAKI & BURNES HAVE BOTH MET WITH A WEST COAST TEAM

What does that mean for the Yankees? I'm not sure yet.

The San Francisco Giants are quietly making waves this offseason, and honestly, are we surprised? This is a team that knows how to swing for the fences when it comes to signing marquee talent. Their pursuit of Corbin Burnes is heating up, and now—hold onto your hats—Roki Sasaki might just be in their sights too. Can you imagine the buzz if they pull this off? Let’s break it down from what we know.

First up, Corbin Burnes. The Giants are still firmly in the race to snag the Orioles ace, with only the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox standing in their way, according to Newsweek. The Giants are the frontrunners allegedly, and for good reason. They've already bolstered their roster with the addition of Willy Adames, and landing Burnes would be like putting a cherry on top of the sundae. The goal? Knock the Dodgers off their NL West perch—and boy, would Burnes help them do just that.

Now, let’s talk about Roki Sasaki, Japan’s 23-year-old pitching phenom. Initially, the Giants weren’t seen as major players in the Sasaki sweepstakes. After all, teams like the Dodgers and Yankees are all over it. But according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants have actually met with Sasaki and his team. Yes, you read that right—they’re in the room where it happens, and not every team can say that.

Here’s the catch: Sasaki, due to his age, won’t be signing one of those jaw-dropping megadeals that Yoshinobu Yamamoto scored with the Dodgers. Still, a solid deal is very much in the cards, and for San Francisco, this is less about money and more about the pitch. They’ll need to sell him on the team’s vision, the city’s charm, and—let’s be real—a chance to be a part of baseball history.

But don't forget, our Yankees are making their play for Sasaki too, but when it comes to Burnes? Crickets. The Bombers haven’t even entered the Burnes chat. Meanwhile, the Giants are pushing all their chips to the center of the table. Burnes and Sasaki in San Francisco? That’s not just a pipe dream—it’s a potential game-changer especially if they want to compete against the Dodgers, or even Padres.

The Giants are no slouch when it comes to making power moves. If they land even one of these two stars, it’s a win for them. If they get both?  San Francisco is ready to roar.

I still have hope when it comes to my Yankees, however. I feel good about their chances in getting Sasaki.

Stay tuned.

LEGIT BASEBALL INSIDER FEELS GOOD ABOUT HIS PREDICTION FOR ROKI SASAKI

Predicting where Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki will end up in Major League Baseball is like predicting the weather in April: a mix of guesswork, hope, and squinting at some charts. But ESPN’s David Schoenfield has been among the boldest to venture a forecast. Granted, even Schoenfield admits, “It’s just guessing at this point.”

The Yankees and Mets are both leaning hard into their Big Apple charm to woo Sasaki to the East Coast. Meanwhile, West Coast teams seem to have the natural edge, thanks to their geographical closeness to Japan and the allure of fewer time zones to traverse. The Dodgers, Padres, and perhaps even a surprise contender all remain in the mix. Honestly, it’s a bit like trying to guess which of your friends will actually show up to brunch—everyone says they’re interested, but who knows?

"I'll stick to my original prediction here," Schoenfield wrote on Tuesday, doubling down on his Padres pick. "From a career standpoint, it makes sense for him to go to a team in a good park for pitchers, so that could mean any of the West Coast teams (aside from the A's)—who might already have a small geographical advantage anyway. The Dodgers can pitch their winning ways, while the Padres can sell their smaller market and playing alongside Yu Darvish, Sasaki's favorite player as a kid. Of course, don't rule out the Yankees or Mets if the big-market 'issue' isn't really an issue."

In short: The West Coast has mountains and nice weather; the East Coast has... bagels and Broadway.

The Dodgers, as usual, bring their A-game to the table. They’ve built a reputation as the honors students of pitching development, and the addition of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to their roster only strengthens their appeal. Who wouldn’t want to join a team where your potential roommates are other Japanese superstars?

But don’t sleep on the Padres. San Diego offers a chill, mid-market vibe that might suit Sasaki just fine. Plus, Yu Darvish—the pitcher Sasaki grew up idolizing—is ready to roll out the welcome mat (and maybe even throw in some surf lessons). Oh, and let’s not forget Hideo Nomo, the original trailblazing Japanese MLB star, who happens to be a special assistant for the Padres. Talk about a recruiting dream team.

Meanwhile, the Yankees and Mets are hovering like big-market hawks, ready to swoop in with their massive checkbooks. If Sasaki doesn’t mind the bright lights and high rents, they could still make a compelling case.

Schoenfield thinks the Padres have the edge, but at the end of the day, it’s anyone’s game. Sasaki’s decision will not only shape his career but also leave one fanbase fist-pumping while the others wonder what might have been. Stay tuned—it’s going to be a wild ride.

SCOTT BORAS & HIS UNSIGNED CLIENTS! DID HE BLOW IT?

As a baseball fan, the free agent market this winter hasn't been as exciting as I hoped it would be. Sure, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were exciting to watch even though neither of them are Yankees but I am left wanting more.

Speaking of wanting more....so are Scott Boras and his still unsigned free agents. Boras is known to have his clients go deep into the offseason before signing but, we are two weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. Yikes! The clock is ticking, and Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell still do not know where they are reporting.

This reminds me of the 2017 and 2018 offseason when the top four free agents were also Boras clients. So, it's DeJa'Vu all over again. This time I think it is a little different because I think Boras misread the market. The Dodgers are the big spenders and then a couple other teams are spending some cash and then there's a whooooolllleee lotta teams that are doing squat.

It's not easy out there. I know Boras is used to playing the waiting game, but he's waiting for an unrealistic offer for Snell. The Yankees offer for six years and $150 million was decent. There's some wiggle room there, as always. I know Boras isn't interested in decent, he wants and that is his job but his counteroffer of nine years and $270 million isn't even in the ballpark. Teams aren't looking for a long-term deal for a pitcher that will be pushing 40 years old. That counter left no room for negotiation, so he shouldn't be surprised that the Yankees pivoted.

If I'm Jordan Montgomery I might be more worried than Snell is. It is believed by many, that Montgomery wants to return to the Texas Rangers. I can see why he would, however, the Rangers have a BIG financial crisis right now. Their TV deal is in jeopardy because Diamond Sports Network is in bankruptcy and if there is no resolution the Rangers can't afford to sign him. That's an embarrassing predicament for the reigning World Series champions to be in. It's time to start thinking about Plan B.

I have a soft spot for Cody Bellinger because I really liked watching his dad Clay Bellinger play for us back in the day. I've met Clay too, and he's a good guy that gives back to the community. He did an interview for us back in 2016 to check out EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CLAY BELLINGER it's one of my favorites. I've always hoped that Cody would one day follow his dad's path and be a Yankee. A girl can dream, but it isn't likely. At this point, I am sure Cody would just like a contract and honestly I do too. I wish there was a better market for him, but right now it is pretty thin. He's been searching for that multi-year deal for over $200 million and the market just isn't there. I think there is mutual interest for Cody and the Cubs to reunite, and I think it could happen, but it won't be what he hoped for.

There's a cliche that I like to use a lot and that's "read the room" and if Boras did that, he would see that the majority of MLB's 30 teams are not spending big money. Last winter the Giants tried to spend big money (but didn't succeed). The Mets spent money last year (it didn't work out for them), the Yankees did the year before and this year the Dodgers spent $1.1 BILLION dollars. Aside from that, no one is spending. Boras is trying to command a price the market does not dictate, and it makes him look silly. 

It's time for a reality check, Boras....time to drop your price tags and negotiate.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

A JAPANESE PITCHER THE YANKEES SHOULD PASS ON - BUT WILL THEY?

I had an interesting discussion at work yesterday. One of my colleagues is a huge Dodger fan and we love to talk about baseball. He's feeling good right now with the additions of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto so of course I get to hear him gloat about it. 

But now what are the Yankees going to do? It's a good question. We made some improvement to the offense, but I am still dreaming of another pitcher. My colleague seems to think the Yankees should go after the next best Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga....but I disagree.

In a perfect world, I'd love to see the Yankees get a left-handed pitcher. Imanaga is a left-handed pitcher, and he's had a lot of success in Japan.... I just don't think he's a good fit for the Yankees. He posted a 2.80 ERA and struck out 174 in 148 innings in the NPB during 2023 but did give up 46 home runs. Not all left-handed pitchers are equal, and I think he will be a good fit for a MLB team, but I think he's more of a risk to the Yankees than a potential asset.

My concern with Imanaga is he's a fly ball pitcher. He struggles with keeping the ball on the ground and Yankee stadium is not forgiving. He was successful at striking pitchers out in Japan, but Yankee stadium is a different animal. If he doesn't have an elite strike out rate in a smaller ballpark that could be a detriment. I just think he needs a bigger ballpark.

The Yankees are in a must win now mode. They've failed for too long, and they are wasting Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole's best years. I think they need options that have big league experience rather than someone like Imanaga that may not help the Yankees make it to the World Series. If the Yankees played in a bigger ballpark, it would make more sense.

I just want to see the Yankees make some smart decisions instead of listening to analytic nerds who don't know baseball fundamentals. The Yankees need to make the right moves this winter and they don't need to be like the Dodgers and spend a billion dollars to do it. But that's just my two cents.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

THIRSTY YANKEES TIED TO NEW PITCHING TARGET

Other teams know there's blood in the water now. Hell, beat writers and other baseball writers know there is blood in the water, too. Losing on Yoshinobu Yamamoto stings, and now everyone watches for what the Yankees do next.

I really think that is what is happening, because I am seeing a lot of chatter on the internet, and some of it is pretty silly. The Yankees are going to make some moves because they have to. Brian Cashman is in the hot seat, and he needs to do everything he can to get people to stop pointing and laughing at him because he sucks at his job.

Since Cashman is a laughing stock, people are hoping he is going to make another drastic move. I still think the Yankees overpaid for one year of Juan Soto and now there's speculation the Yankees could (or should) do it again for pitching. Check out what SI.com wrote HERE. The Milwaukee Brewers may be eager to trade away some of their talent they know they can't keep long term. Many teams would want Corbin Burnes, including the Yankees.

Burnes has some good experience. He was a Cy Young winner in 2021 and is an All-Star, he could be a big help to a contending team but he's also a rental. He will be a free agent after the 2024 season and has already said he is highly unlikely to sign an extension. Patrick Mcavoy seems to think the Yankees should also overpay for him, like they did for Soto because they did it already so "what's one more?" Someone get Mcavoy on the phone and tell him Soto and Burnes aren't quite on the same level. Burnes is very talented, but he's pitched over 200 innings once in his career and Soto is one of, if not the best left handed hitter in the game today. The Yankees downfall last year was not their pitching, ultimately it was their lack of production.

There's one other piece to this puzzle. The Yankees have lost some pitching depth this winter. They traded four pitchers to get Soto and three to get Alex Verdugo from the Red Sox so the Yankees want to hold on to their remaining prospects and deal in free agency instead. Prospects are just what their name suggests.... prospects. However, they still need to hold on to some of them. This leads me to believe that the Yankees are more likely to pivot and try to reunite with Jordan Montgomery or Frankie Montas and hope that Carlos Rodon rebounds as scary as that sounds.

I guess this is an "A" for effort on Mcavoy but a giant "F" for execution and general business smarts. I guess that's what happens though when people smell desperation. The Yankees will pivot, now we just wait and see HOW exactly.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

GETTING SOTO IS HUGE! BUT WE NEED MORE!

I love that the Yankees got Juan Soto this off-season. It was a big step forward in what was a gross 2023 season.  We just couldn't get our team going in 2023.  

I'm worried as a fan.  We got Juan Soto and we have a few other parts that are important to this team, but we need more. Yoshinobu Yamamoto would have been amazing, but the Yankees were right to not go too high for him. Let the Dodgers do that, it's fine with me.  But seriously, what happens next with the Yankees? What big name either free agency or trade are we going after?  Like I said on Twitter just a short time ago, "don't look now, but the Yankees have only made 1 legit move this off season, hardly a fix for what was a terrible 2023 season."

This take of course is not popular to some. In fact, if you're not a Yankee fan from the 70's and just became a Yankee fan in the late 1990's, you really don't have a gauge for what the Yankees are all about.  The Yankees are a storied franchise, but that franchise had a lot of great times and bad times way before 1996.  Old guys like us understand the ups and downs and I have news for you, we can get pretty annoyed by it.  But newbies don't get that.  They just think I'm the old guy yelling at a cloud. 

Whatever.  Live a little, that's all I'm gonna say. Crack open an encyclopedia. Read history. Understand the Yankee ownership, the former managers before Joe Torre... the Bronx when things were bad, when guys like Mantle roamed the outfield. When players like Ron Guidry dominated.  For many of you it's all folklore... but trust me, it was all real and the Yankees were very, very good.  And why? Well, because we had decent ownership with a solid front office and for a while there was a guy named George Steinbrenner who wanted perfection out of his players and managers. And while perfection and baseball aren't really a thing, it was nice to know that George held his players and managers at a high standard.  The point was, "at least try to attain it."  

And so, these days, do I like the state of the Yankees? Not really. Have we improved? I love Juan Soto, but I wonder what happens after this season.  Can we keep the guy?  And much like it was last off season when the Yankees got Carlos Rodon and we were still "not done", we were actually done and Rodon gave us nothing in 2023 but heartburn.

And so, if you are curious as to why I'm so annoyed? It's because the standards have changed when it comes to the Yankees.  We're not a superpower anymore. The Yankees are just like the other teams.  We're not strong, we're OK.  So pardon me for being cranky and wanting to get the pieces we need to win.  

Look, Bleeding Yankee Blue was started in 2010 because I was angry at the Yankees and how they mismanaged their team and I hated to watch us lose year after year.  And since 2010, they have not won a championship.  It's 2023, about to be 2024.  That's terrible. We are better than that, or so I thought.  

And so, you ask me why I'm cranky... why I "post controversial stuff".  

Controversial?  Huh?  How about frustration? That's the word! Using the word Controversial is a word the new soft generation uses.  

Next thing you know people on Twitter are "triggered" because I said the word "shit" or something.  

How about as Yankee fans we can all agree on this; The Yankees were not good in 2023... and we need get better in 2024.  Signing only Juan Soto and a few spare parts is NOT the answer.  That's an opinion and in my mind, a fact.  

We need to improve.  That's the bottom line.

ESTEVAN FLORIAL GONZO

Just a quick note as things are floating around out there right between the Christmas and New Years holidays and it's important to talk about.  When it comes to Estevan Florial... it looks like this guy is a goner when it comes to his time with the Yankees. I feel bad for this dude. He was hanging on, dedicated and doing what he needed to do to stay with the club, but it's my opinion that the Yankees front office just didn't like the guy.  It wasn't that Florial couldn't hang, it's just that Florial was never considered part of the Yankee outfield and so, it was time to trade him and they did.

Fansided writes:

"...the Yankees shipped Florial to Cleveland in exchange for starter/reliever Cody Morris. "

And so Florial will find new life in Cleveland and I wish this guy well.   As for Cody Morris, this is what we can say about him, brought to us by big dog Pete Caldera:

"In Morris, 27, the Yankees receive a former seventh-round draft pick (2018) who has compiled a 3.41 ERA over 13 MLB appearances (five starts) with 32 strikeouts, 18 walks and six homers allowed in 31.2 innings.

Last season, Morris made six relief appearances for Cleveland, yielding six runs in eight innings.

Morris made one appearance against the Yankees during the 2022 AL Division Series, tossing two scoreless innings in Game 4 at Cleveland."

And just like that the Yankees will try and stockpile arms and try and make us all forget that we didn't score Yamamoto.  But of course... we won't.

I wish Florial the best. I say welcome to Cody Morris.

DODGERS SIGN YAMAMOTO ALL WHILE JACK CURRY WAS "SMILING"

Jack Curry is by far the best when it comes to getting us Yankee fans information.  He doesn't overstep. He's cautious and smart in his delivery. It's what makes him one of the greatest assets when it comes to us Yankee fans trying to get information.  When it comes to inside information, he's not about to fumble all over other insiders, he keeps it real and thorough and reports the information as it happens. I applaud that... we all should.  It's journalistic integrity at it's best. It's why I started to read him all those years ago with the Times.

Last night was a weird night as a Yankee fan.  I think most of us thought that Yoshinobu Yamamoto was about to be a New York Yankee.  Jack Curry did nothing wrong but offer us information that he was getting real time.  And he did it as a true professional.

Jack Curry confirms that the Yankees have made a substantial offer to Yoshinobu Yamamoto and adds that he's inching closer to a decision

"Stay tuned to this show because you don't know what's gonna happen across the next 60 minutes." pic.twitter.com/wNpvmebe24

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) December 22, 2023

But for some reason the Yankee Twitter Universe made it appear that he was withholding information like the Yankees were seconds away from signing Yamamoto, or already did and was waiting for his 'OK' to give the announcement. Many Yankee fans made it feel like he was a kid in a candy store who just stole the coveted lollipop but was waiting to leave the shop to show all of us he nabbed it.  

I think what Yankee fans did was speculate way too much last night... so much so that Jack Curry was trending on Twitter for a bit. That's not fair to Jack.  Here's the good thing though, when the time was right it was Jack that got it right and us Yankee fans made sure everyone knew that Jack's our guy... the smart one... the thorough one... the one that never gives up on the story because he knows we are all depending on him.    

Yamamoto signed with the Dodgers... and sadly the false narrative Yankee fans pushed about Jack "knowing something" about perhaps Yamamoto going to the Yankees was exposed.  In the end, Jack was always Jack, professional in delivery and doing it with a smile and that's all he was doing.  Yankee Twitter just got ahead of themselves and made that "smile" a thing I guess.  

The New York Post writes:

"The Yankees and Mets went all-in on Yoshinobu Yamamoto — and struck out.

Instead of becoming the next Japanese star in The Bronx or Queens, Yamamoto will join Shohei Ohtani with the Dodgers, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed. The signing was first reported by the YES Network.

The winning bid for the 25-year-old right-hander was for 12 years and $325 million..."

And you gotta love this. Alot of folks went after Heyman, protecting Jack once it broke, because after all it was Jack that broke it first.  In fairness, Heyman in his article did give YES credit, but should have been specific to Jack.

I chalk the Jack smile up to confidence. He was on a tight rope last night and the Yankee universe was watching and following his every word and he was extraordinary.   This is the stuff that I applaud so much in this world of baseball insiders and baseball commentators. Getting the story right.  Too often many of these guys get sloppy.  Last night I wanted to hear the Yamamoto news just as bad as you.  But I was marveling at how Jack was delivering. He's good... he'd damn good and I tip my cap.

So what happens now? Yankee fans will be mad at Cashman, but why?  Look, I have my own issues with Brian Cashman, but in the end there's gotta be a limit.  Think about this, the Dodgers just paid this guy $325 million for 12 years and he's never thrown a pitching in the Major Leagues.  I'm not saying he can't be successful in the states. What I'm saying is it feels like a $325 million deal to have two Japanese teammates reunite.  

It's weird to me.  The bottom line is the Yankees had a limit, and that limit was reached.  You can get mad at Cashman all you want, but I call it smart.

And what happens next? We wait and see if this guy can deliver and right now we enjoy the holiday and then hopefully the Yankees can pick up another pitcher or 2 to bolster our rotation.  It's really what we need right now.

In the end, it was a crazy night.  I salute Jack for some great work and of course Bob Lorenz. I tip my cap to the Yankee fans that stayed in on it, and I chuckle at the ones that speculated their pants off last night.  It's speculation that's ruined a lot of great journalism over the past few years. Bad guesses ruin careers and credibility. But Jack never reported wrong.  Sure, this is a Yamamoto post, but it's also a post about good commentary and reporting.

Nice work Jack Curry! You never disappoint.