Brian Cashman spoke at the Winter Meetings in Nashville on Tuesday, and touched on several topics, including the Yankees’ obvious interest in Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Earlier in the day, Aaron Boone told reporters that the Japanese star would look great in pinstripes, a sentiment that the Yankees GM echoed.
“Yes I would agree with that,” Cashman said with a smile. “I personally saw him, we scouted him extensively. I think he’s gonna be a really successful pitcher anywhere he pitches on the planet. So he’s a free agent, we’ll see where that takes us. But we've definitely had conversations and we'll give this our best efforts.”
As for a potential trade for Juan Soto, as talks have reportedly picked up steam again, Cashman wouldn’t directly comment, but it didn’t seem as if Michael King would hold up a blockbuster deal for the superstar outfielder.
“I don't think - after a year we've had, there would be very few untouchables,” Cashman said. “Obviously we value Michael King a lot. He’s been a very good player for us. He makes us better by having him here, and that’s probably why players like him, and others.”
Left field is a clear need for the Yankees, though the trade for Alex Verdugo slightly clouds what the team’s strategy may be for the outfield moving forward. As for other areas of need, Boone told reporters that the Yankees like where they are at the catcher position with Austin Wells and Jose Trevino likely being the two backstops, and Cashman told reporters that the team is set at third base, second base, and shortstop, thanks to some type of alignment that will include Anthony Volpe, Gleyber Torres, Oswald Peraza, and DJ LeMahieu. First base is likely set as long as Anthony Rizzo is recovering from concussion symptoms as well as Boone said he was, leaving the outfield and starting rotation as the likeliest areas of improvement that the Yanks will continue to pursue this winter.
“I think we have a chance to be a really good team with some really good moves, so that's the goal,” Cashman said. “We are looking to make additions that will have a positive impact.”
