As the Yankees Face Juan Soto and Yoshinobu Yamamoto Roadblocks, Will They Focus On Other Top Targets?

The New York Yankees are in trouble. Their prime targets are continuously becoming harder to get. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has half of the league after him, while the competition for Juan Soto too has increased. Add to that their recent problems while negotiating with the San Diego Padres, and things look a little bleak for the Bronx squad. They need to make a change, and they need to make it quick.

With all of their targets slowly getting out of their hands, should the Yankees pivot? The market is still filled with quality players who can fulfill the needs of the Pinstripes. They will have to do something as with each passing day the patience of the Yankees faithful is reducing.

With Soto and Yamamoto in doubt is it time for the New York Yankees to switch

The Yankees and the Friars were very far behind in their returns for Juan Soto. While the Pads wanted Michael Kind, Clarke Schmidt, and 5 other top prospects, the Yankees wanted to keep most of them. This led to their talks getting stalled. Though the Bombers believe that the talks will resume on their terms, they are ready to walk away if things do not go according to their plan.

Brian Cashman reportedly doesn’t want to overpay for just a year of Juan Soto. The Yankees can immediately become favorites to sign Cody Bellinger. The 2019 MVP had a strong comeback but is still a scary bet. Perhaps that’s why the Yankees reportedly prefer Soto over him. Yet if the Soto deal fails, they will surely have to go for Bellinger. 

Bellinger’s low hard-hit rate is a major problem for the Pinstripes. But even bigger would be to be without a lefty outfielder. On the other hand, Yamamoto’s immense competition has made his arrival in New York uncertain. In that case, they might have to focus on his compatriot, Shota Imanaga.

Read more: Beyond Blue Jays: Cash-Rich Mariners Pose a New Challenge for Yankees in Juan Soto Pursuit

Even though Imanaga lacks youthful exuberance, he’s an experienced hand with many tricks up his sleeves. The only drawback? He gets hit by the homers quite consistently. Still, the Yankees have to do something, as the fans are waiting anxiously.

The Bombers could face fan vitriol if the offseason goes sour

After a disappointing season, fans hoped that the Yankees management would do everything in their power to improve the team’s prospects. Brian Cashman is already on incredibly thin ice with the Yankee Nation due to a 14-year championship drought. A dull off-season can increase that anger even more.

Fans have consistently complained about the Bronx Bombers not being as ambitious as they used to be. If they fail to make marquee signings, it will give more ammunition to their fans. This season is a make or break for them and Cashman knows that as well. Will their offseason go off track or will they get back on track?

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