Yankees writer skeptical on MLB sources’ knowledge of potential $600 million spending spree for top SP, OF

Yankees writer skeptical on MLB sources’ knowledge of potential $600 million spending spree for top SP, OF originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Yankees are a big-spending MLB club. With that territory comes being linked to every top free agent at whatever their position of need is, every offseason.

This offseason, that means NYY is in on most outfielders with power and positional versatility, plus starting pitching help to help them get through several injuries in the rotation.

As Yanks Go Yard’s Adam Weinrib is skeptical about an ESPN article that hinted that the Yankees are in a good place to land both Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker, who’s looking for a $400 million contract, and Saitama Seibu Lions ace right-hander Tatsuya Imai, who was posted in November but expected to sign with a team sometime around the Winter Meetings.

“Articles like this one make you wonder why the rest of the league is so bullish on the Yankees signing Tucker. What do they know? Do they know anything? Presumably, the zero voters who believe the Yankees and Bellinger will settle on a return have been informed by the same buzz,” Weinrib wrote.

“Will these hypothetical Yankees stop at Tucker? Not according to the execs; they see Tatsuya Imai (who apparently would love to beat the Dodgers) choosing either the Giants or Yankees for his next base camp.”

The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty didn’t share intel that screams “aggressive Imai pursuit for the Yankees” this winter.

“The Yankees are expected to earnestly pursue Imai as they continue to survey the entire pitching market for an arm, according to a league source. The 27-year-old would represent an upgrade to just about any rotation, but particularly to the Yankees’ group, which has so many questions heading into spring training. But don’t be surprised if they end up going cheaper if the price ratchets up for the right-hander,” Kuty wrote.

As for Tucker, the Yankees may force the Los Angeles Dodgers to give his $400 million ambitions a chance. SNY’s Emmanuel Berbari shared that the Yankees are close to re-signing Cody Bellinger during an appearance on Baseball Night in NY.

The Pinstripes will be spending on someone soon. Whether or not it’s Tucker or Imai, or both, remains to be seen. It’s been a while since the Yankees’ front office was that aggressive.