NYY News: No Roki in New York
Today at 12:00 AM
Sasaki sweepstakes down to LA, San Diego, and Toronto; Dom Smith signs minor-league deal with Yanks; Blake and more speak on the Yankees' rotation
ESPN | Jeff Passan: The new international free agent signing period is about to begin, and accordingly, the Roki Sasaki Sweepstakes are about to come to an end. The NPB strikeout artist's posting window closes on January 22nd, and he'll be able to sign at any point from the 15th until then. As Josh wrote here yesterday, the Yankees are no longer in contention, as Sasaki's team told them that they were out. Several other teams were also told that they were passed on as well, and Passan reported the three finalists: the Dodgers, Padres, and Blue Jays.
The most uninteresting and yet most likely option appears to be LA, but maybe his personal connection to San Diego's Yu Darvish will shine through. Toronto fans are probably worried about Lucy pulling away the football on Charlie Brown in yet another free agent pursuit. But they're still in it!
MLB Trade Rumors | Anthony Franco: The Yankees might have missed out on Roki, but they've won the rights to Dom Smith, so who's laughing now?! YES Network's Jack Curry reported that the Yankees have signed the former top Mets prospect to a minor-league deal (likely with a non-roster invitation to spring training). The 11th-overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft had a bit of Clint Frazier Syndrome in that his best season came in the COVID-shortened 2020 but he's mostly struggled during his eight-year career. Smith did, however, help the Red Sox out in a pinch last year when Triston Casas was out, notching 20 double and 6 homers with a 96 OPS+ in 84 games. If he's game to serve as extra Triple-A depth, then, well, he is the definition of replacement-level.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The Yankees' rotation is in a pretty good place as we sit here on January 13th. Yes, "famous last words," I know, but it's better than the alternative! Hoch just began a series looking at different areas of the Yankees' roster, and the front five of the pitching staff are in the first edition. Pitching coach Matt Blake spoke to Hoch about new signing Max Fried, incumbent ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, and yes, even Marcus Stroman. Look for quotes from the staff itself, too.
