The Yankees have unveiled their entire class of 2024 international free agents……..
The budget has also been used up! Prior to 2024, the New York Yankees had a small international free agency budget despite making significant splashes in the previous few seasons with Roderick Arias and Brando Mayea.
That’s not to say they didn’t utilise everything that was available to them. Nine players were acquired by them from their $4.652 million bonus pool, the most notable of them was Francisco Vilorio, a Dominican Republic-born outfielder who was rated No. 15 overall in the class.
The 17-year-old’s biggest attribute is power, therefore MLB.com predicts him as a “middle-of-the-order bat”. If he develops as predicted, there is also the idea that he is athletic enough to play centre field in the major leagues.
In theory, the Yankees can still trade for bonus pool money to bring in other players.
The Yankees gained three outfielders, three catchers (?! ), a pitcher, and a third baseman to their already strong pipeline when they signed all of the 2024 international free agents; however, none of the other prospects were listed in MLB.com’s Top 50.
Baseball America has identified DR shortstop Dexter Peralta as a breakout potential, so it’s important to keep a watch on him as BA is the source for all foreign signing news, scouting reports, and more.
Even while the Yankees haven’t had much luck signing foreign free agents, particularly in recent years, their scouting has undoubtedly improved as their farm system has continuously produced players that have advanced through the levels. While we still have a few high-profile arrivals to evaluate, Arias and Mayea are rated as two of the organization’s top 10 prospects.
The only question remaining, I suppose, is how many catchers this team could possible need?
Reportedly, Pete Alonso would rather sign with the Yankees, an NL rival, than the Mets again.
It appears that slugging Mets first baseman Pete Alonso might consider other options, whether or not he “prefers” to.
Since he was selected out of Florida, he has been a massive Met and a representative of the area, but he stands for a different regime. Although the new manager, David Stearns, would undoubtedly sign up for 40 home runs a year out of first base, this is a two-way street, and Stearns will not be moved by sentiment when determining his price for an ageing, heavy hitter.
Alonso? It appears that, although he may be feeling strongly about the impending decision, his feelings may be taking him in a different direction, much to a cartoon figure pursuing a pie on a windowsill, if you read the tea leaves.
For each pot stirrer Sal Licata of WFAN: There has been a lot of talk that when Alonso’s contract ends after the Queens season, he would be interested in the Cubs (a well-known team) and the Yankees (a less well-known team). There hasn’t been any discussion regarding an extension, nor has there been one.
Cubs and Yankees might try to sign Mets slugger Pete Alonso?
Long-term first base fantasy for the Yankees has (probably) been Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami, but it makes sense (sigh) to think he’d rather play for the Dodgers, too, since LA courted two of his most well-known compatriots this winter and intends to sign rising ace Roki Sasaki as well. After years of saying it was against their custom, why have the leading Japanese celebrities in the game decided to collaborate now? It may lead to another Yankees defeat, but it still beats me.
If the Yankees can find the financial space to support it, then Alonso could be a pretty good replacement for Anthony Rizzo. Put an end to the fabricated rivalry between Aaron Judge and yourself; they are both outstanding players, despite being quite different. They could both play well at either ballpark in New York, but their ability to break apart a baseball is the only thing they have in common.
As an offensive-first player, Alonso has never had an OPS+ below 122 in his career. However, the Short Porch won’t much affect those figures; if he had spent the previous several years in the Bronx, his predicted home run totals would have been lower. Though his free agency contract may not last long, whoever signs him would get momentary brawn and obvious star power.
