Arr, them Yankees be holdin' onto their precious number, hopin' to lure in a fine Japanese player, says I.
2023-11-28
Avast ye scurvy dogs! The New York Yankees be lusting after the Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto like a bloomin' octopus be clutchin' its booty! They be holdin' onto his sacred uniform number, prayin' to snatch him up! Arrr, the Yankees be plannin' a mighty pirate raid, I reckon!
The New York Yankees had a disappointing season in 2022, finishing with an 82-80 record, their worst since 1993. This marked the first time they missed the postseason since 2016. To help turn things around, the Yankees may be looking to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a star Japanese pitcher. Yamamoto is available for all 30 MLB teams to sign, and there are rumors that he may land a $200 million contract.In an effort to attract Yamamoto, the Yankees refrained from issuing his preferred uniform number, No. 18, last season. This number is considered a symbol of an ace pitcher in Japan, and Yamamoto wore it while playing for the Orix Buffaloes. When the Yankees signed Masahiro Tanaka in 2014, he switched from No. 18 to 19 out of respect for Hiroki Kuroda, who already wore the number for New York.
Yamamoto's performance in Japan has been impressive, with a career ERA of 1.72. He throws a fastball that averages 95 mph and can touch 99 mph. He also has great control and a 4.56 strikeout-to-walk ratio. If Yamamoto signs a $200 million deal, it would be the most lucrative contract ever for a player entering the majors and likely the highest ever given to a Japanese player until Shohei Ohtani signs his anticipated record-breaking deal.
Overall, the Yankees are hoping that signing Yamamoto will help improve their performance next season and bring them back to their winning ways.