What if the Yankees had offered Yoshinobu Yamamoto $325 million?
As you know, the Japanese pitcher wanted to launch in New York or Los Angeles. We figured it was either the Dodgers or the Yankees.
I placed the Yankees with a (small) head start, but obviously, it was the Dodgers who seemed a little ahead of the other clubs in the Derby.
With a sales pitch like Shohei Ohtani, it clearly helps.
The Dodgers convinced Yamamoto to sign for 12 years with a $50 million bonus, with $25 million more than the Yankees and with two exit options, the first of which was after six years.
But was the Yankees' offer a good one? Certainly.
According to what Ken Rosenthal reports, we're talking about $300 million, but over 10 years instead of 12. That's more money per year.
The exit option was earlier (five years) and it is rumored that there is more money in the early years of the deal, compared to the Dodgers.
Brief. I ask my question again: would the Yankees have had a better chance of signing him by offering $325 million to the Japanese pitcher?
In my opinion, no. I think Yamamoto wanted to go to LA with Shohei Ohtani. Right now, for a Japanese person, it's a good time to be with the Dodgers, right?
But the fact remains that the Mets and the Dodgers offered more than the Yankees, when we take the total amount. For what?
According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees felt their offer was competitive, but moreover, they didn't want to give more money than Gerrit Cole.
I'm glad Heyman pointed this out since it jumped out at me when I saw the offer. The Mets and Dodgers offered Yamamoto more than Gerrit Cole's $324 million, but not the Yankees.
Whether or not Yamamoto has major league experience, the message is clear: the salary structure has been established. Ask Kent Hughes what he thinks… #NickSuzuki #ColeCaufield #PierreLucDubois
Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge are the leaders of this club. In New York, the Yankees analyzed everyone this winter to see where the 2023 problems were.
To help them, Cole and The Judge were there. Clearly, we see them in the solution… and with good reason.
But all this forces us to question: if the Cy Young is the untouchable in the salary structure of pitchers, is the MVP that of hitters?
The question arises knowing that Juan Soto, who is currently the same age as Yamamoto, will be free in a year…
In my eyes, the situation is different. Soto has MLB experience (he even has a World Series ring in Washington) and we know what he can bring.
But most importantly, the Yankees know what they're getting into.
The Bombers know that Soto refused $440 million in 2022 in Washington. That’s what led him to go to San Diego and, ultimately, the Bronx.
Aaron Judge turns 32 in just a few months. He was old when he signed his nine-year, $40 million contract last year.
These are two different situations…and, again, the Yankees know it.
We suspect that in a year, the outfielder will be a free agent. And if the Yankees want to keep him, it's going to take a crazy offer.
And that is quite a bit more than $360 million.
Since Judge isn't the guy who's going to let his ego take the lead, I don't think this will be an issue with him when he sees the amount offered to Soto, who is represented by Scott Boras.
That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the Yankees still made #99 the club's highest paid player per season.
Judge earns $40 million per year. Expect that if Soto signs, the years will be extended so that he earns less, on average, than $40 million per year.
It would (really) not be surprising on the part of the Yankees in connection with the captain.
Because yes, these details in contracts are important. Look at what Bryce Harper ($330M) did to surpass Giancarlo Stanton ($325M) in time: he took years longer.
Note, while we're on the subject, that in a year, Cole will have an exit option. If he takes it, the Yankees can lock him up with a 10th year at $36 million, bringing the whole thing to $360 million. All this is going to happen.
And when that happens, watch the Yankees say Cole has the highest guaranteed contract in history, ahead of Yamamoto. And forgetting that Ohtani sometimes throws, of course.
- Happy holidays to all readers of the site! Enjoy it.
- The DBacks will want to demonstrate that the West passes through them.
