MLB Rumors: The Yankees could offer a record contract to Yoshinobu Yamamoto
The New York Yankees are expected to offer Yoshinobu Yamamoto a contract that would surpass that of Masahiro Tanaka, which could make Yamamoto the highest-paid Japanese player in team history. Both Tanaka and Hideki Matsui are viewed as Asian baseball legends for a reason, and both played in New York. Brian Cashman also played a vital role in convincing or keeping both players in New York, so he could have a leg up on the competition.
Cashman was in Japan watching Yamamoto's no-hitter, per Yahoo Japan, and clearly liked what he saw. The Yankees are just one of several teams which plan to offer the starting pitcher once he is posted this offseason.
FanSided's Zachary Rotman listed Yamamoto as a potential fit for the Yankees after his no-no over the weekend. This was all without prior knowledge of the Yankees interest:
"Both Luis Severino and Frankie Montas will be hitting free agency this offseason and it's extremely likely that neither will return to the Bronx. The spot is there for Yamamoto to take, but with the Yankees needing offense more, I'd say it's less likely he ends up there. They still cannot be ignored due largely to the fact that they clearly like him enough to be seriously scouting him."
If Hal Steinbrenner is willing to open up his wallet, the Yanks have room in their rotation for a player like Yamamoto. He will not come cheap, though.
MLB Rumors: Atlanta Braves do the pitching staff shuffle
Kyle Wright could make his first start since May in the second half of Monday's doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies. It's a series that has serious implications for the Braves if they hope to clinch the NL East in rather quick fashion. Atlanta will win the division at some point in the near future, but their magic number is down to six at the moment.
On Monday morning, Atlanta called up Jackson Stephens, thus optioning Allan Winans in the process. Michael Soroka was placed on the 60-day injured list once again. Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors summed up what Stephens brings to the Braves pitching staff this morning:
"Stephens, 29, will get a second big league look with Atlanta after spending the bulk of the 2022 season in their bullpen. He tossed 53 2/3 innings off 3.69 ERA ball last year, striking out 20% of his opponents against a 9.8% walk rate with a 46.3% ground-ball rate. He had a lengthy stay on the minor league injured list this season but has been sharp both in rehab work in the low minors and more recently in Triple-A, where Stephens has pitched 24 2/3 frames with a 3.28 earned run average, 26% strikeout rate and outstanding 4% walk rate."
Stephens is a reliable long-term relief option, something the Braves will need considering Wright is coming off the injured list, and has been held to near 50 pitches in all of his MiLB starts so far. Expect Brian Snitker to be careful with him as Wright ramps up his pitch count before the playoffs.
MLB Rumors: Javy Baez trade value at an all-time low
Just a few short years ago, Javy Baez and Trevor Williams were traded to the Mets for a package that included Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago's top prospect who was just called up to the big leagues on Monday. Crow-Armstrong is now the No. 12 prospect in all of baseball, which goes to show you exactly what Baez could fetch when he was at his best.
Now with the Detroit Tigers, Baez is at his worst. His trade value has absolutely tanked, and the only way Scott Harris could dump his contract is if another GM...well, chased a trade like Baez does a breaking ball. Yikes.
Baez has an out in his contract this offseason, and he's unlikely to use it. This means he'll be in MoTown for at least a few more seasons and barring a complete turnaround, his tenure will be an immense disappointment. Signing Baez was meant to be a sign of things to come -- a true building block for a Tigers organization that finished the 2021 campaign just a few games under .500. The tide was turning, or so we thought.
Al Avila has been fired, and Miggy is about to retire. A.J. Hinch's job is safe for now. But these Tigers are still years away from their competitive window, thanks in part to Harris, who is still cleaning up the mess Avila left -- Baez included.