Backup Plan: Yankees To Target White Sox Ace if Yoshinobu Yamamoto Deal Crumbles?

The clock is ticking for Yoshinobu Yamamoto to pick his team. But what if he does not pick the New York Yankees? Well, that would be quite a blow for the franchise, considering how aggressively they have been pursuing the ace. Nevertheless, as their fight for the Japanese star goes on, the team creates a Plan B. 

In 2024, the Yankees plan to improve their starting rotation. For that, this off-season, they are looking for multiple hurlers who can help them achieve that. While Yamamoto continues to be one of their top priorities, the team has displayed a massive interest in a starting pitcher from the Chicago White Sox. 

New York Yankees Crafting an Alternative Blueprint

The player whose name has popped up as a candidate for trade is White Sox pitcher, Dylan Cease, as per The Athletic’s Ken C Rosenthal. He said, “The White Sox are talking to clubs about Cease, but still seem inclined to wait until after (Yoshinobu Yamamoto) and company sign, believing the urgency of teams that strike out on those pitchers will only increase.” Could there be any competition for the Yankees here? 

Cease is set to be under club control for another couple of seasons. Dylan remains a top target for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. The reason being their names have not been associated with the top free agents. Not only that, there could be more teams eyeing the trade market. The Yankees (of course), the San Francisco Giants, the Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves. So what makes the 27-year-old so sought after? 

Well, the Brian Cashman said, the Yankees are in need of bolstering their pitching staff. Though Dylan is not as big a name as Yamamoto, he would surely be an upgrade to the team. The 2019 debutant has a career 3.83 ERA in the five seasons he has played. Though 2023 was a bit of a rough patch, it is worth noting that he was the runner-up in the American League Cy Young Award, 2022. He logged a 2.20 ERA, 32 starts that year.

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Having said that, this option seems viable in the Bronx. But what does the leadership have to say about their contingency plan if the Yoshi deal doesn’t work out?

What measures have the Yankees implemented thus far?

The problem at hand is the scarcity of pitchers. Understanding the importance of solving this issue, he said, “Pitching is definitely an area of focus. Since we off-boarded pitching to make these deals [for outfielders Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo], on-boarding pitching is going to be important, no doubt about it”.

Given the intense competition for the former Orix Buffaloes star, it is imperative that the NYY make some moves. A few of them in the recent past have been Victor Gonzalez, who joined the Bronx on Monday. This happened as an effect of the Ohtani-Dodgers deal, and could hopefully fill the gap in the Yankees’ bullpen. With that comes the potential departure of Wandy Peralta.

Read More: Yankees’ Contingency Plan: Possibility of an Infield Trade if the Yoshinobu Yamamoto Deal Falls Through

That said, while the chase for Yoshi goes on, Yankees continue to prepare their cushioning.