by Paul Semendinger
December 30, 2023
***
After failing to get Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the hope was that the Yankees had a good, logical, and strong Plan B.
That is still the hope, but as the fans hope, some possible pitchers are coming off the board.
Chris Sale, never linked to the Yankees, was traded to the Atlanta Braves.
Lucas Giolito will be signing with the Red Sox.
Frankie Montas will be signing with the Reds.
The Yankees need starting pitchers. Many many many speculated that Frankie Montas would be signed by the Yankees as a #5 starter and for some depth. That didn't happen.
I know how some will react to all of this...
"The Red Sox were trading Sale to the Yankees..."
"Giolito isn't good..."
"I didn't want Montas anyway..."
All that is fine and good, but as each of these options go away, it will be more and more diffiicult for the Yankees to implement whatever Plan B actually is.
The Yankees, rather than acting with any sense of urgency, seem to take their time. The Yankees, for a long time, have been reactionary rather than proactive. The Yankees like to talk a big game, but have often not lived up to those words with action.
Last year we were told that the Yankees knew they needed to address left field. They never did.
There is still time, there is still hope, but other teams are making moves. The Yankees seem to be content watching time pass them by, as they stay in a slumber.
Again.
