NASHVILLE — On the surface, Brian Cashman’s reaction has been surprising, as the Yankees general manager has been involved in several international tournaments, including a front-row seat when Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Orix Buffaloes threw a no-hitter last September. He described what he learned from his reconnaissance trip.
“Honestly, nothing,” Cashman said Tuesday at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center as the second day of baseball’s winter meetings stretched into the evening.
Cashman then explained: “The Yankees, like other teams, have been monitoring Yamamoto closely for so long that there are no secrets left about the outstanding right-hander.” They know what to expect and know where he goes. I am confident that he will become a top-notch ace.
“It was a really fun experience,” Cashman said. “To get a no-hitter was really amazing. It’s special in high school, in college, in the professional ranks. It was worth flying all the way to see this highly artistic work unfold. It was moving.”
Now their mission is to bring Yamamoto to the Bronx.
“It’s hard to find a 25-year-old pitcher with a career as illustrious as he is and who is having as much success over there and on the world stage at this point in his career.” [World Baseball Classic]” manager Aaron Boone said.
“Our report is that this guy is really good, and I think the industry sees it the same way. I feel like he’s going to have a lot of suitors. I’m very confident that he’s going to come in here and be a really special top-of-the-rotation type pitcher.”
Amid speculation that Yamamoto would receive a contract worth more than $200 million, plus a posting fee to his former team, Cashman has been in regular contact with Yamamoto’s agent, Joel Wolfe. They are competing.
Cashman declined to say whether a face-to-face meeting with Hurler is planned, but it seems certain. The organization also plans to ask Hideki Matsui to help recruit talent, using the same strategy it used to persuade Masahiro Tanaka in 2014.
“We’re going to try to move forward with trying to acquire free agents and anything that we think will help,” Cashman said. “Ultimately, we’re going to play all the cards we need to that we think will help us and see where it takes us.”
While the Yankees are preparing to write Yamamoto a big check, they are also hoping to pull off a blockbuster trade for the Padres’ Juan Soto. It’s a double whammy that will erase the residual disappointment of the weakest season in the last 30 years.
“He’s a much better offensive player,” Boone said of Soto. “He’s a machine offensively.”
Soto is scheduled to become a free agent after 2024, and San Diego requested a big package headlined by right-hander Michael King and right-hander Drew Thorpe. Cashman praised King’s contributions, but said, “After the year we’ve had, there will be very few untouchables.”
If King and Clark Schmidt are among the players sent to the Padres in a potential Soto trade, the importance of adding a hurler like Yamamoto to complement Gerrit Cole at the front of the rotation. will increase. A comeback from Carlos Rodon or Nestor Cortés is also high on his wish list.
“Even assuming the worst-case scenario, I’m happy with where we are,” Cashman said. “But if there is an opportunity to add more to the front end, we should try it if possible.”
on the market
The Yankees have contacted representatives for infielder/outfielder Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and left-hander Wandy Peralta, who are currently free agents.
Kinel Falefa hit .242/.306/.340 (78 OPS) last season, played in seven positions including pitcher, and is attracting interest from multiple teams. Cashman said the Yanks want to keep Peralta, who played in 63 games this year and posted a 2.83 ERA.
hot corner
Cashman said he doesn’t see third base as an area of need, which could negate speculation linking the Yankees to free agents Jaymar Candelario and Matt Chapman. DJ LeMahieu will most likely start at third base, and Coach Cashman said the club feels “covered” at all spots in the infield.
