3 free agents the Yankees must pair with Aaron Judge to take next step

Yankees rumors: Sign Matsataka Yoshida or Kodai Senga

Signing one of the two NPB stars — Matsataka Yoshida or Kodai Senga — would be in the best interest of the Yankees.

Though unproven, that could very well play to Brian Cashman’s advantage, as he could acquire a top-tier starting pitcher in Senga for less than, say, Carlos Rodon is necessary.

Yoshida is an alternative to Andrew Benintendi, who also made this list. Yoshida is one of the best defenders at his natural left-field spot, and won a Gold Medal with Japan in the 2020 Olympics. A transfer agreement between NPB and MLB makes any such move for Senga or Yoshida complicated, but far from impossible for a team with the financial resources of the Yankees.

Per J.P. Morosi, “The Japanese club receives a release fee equivalent to 20 percent of the initial $25 million in guaranteed value, 17.5 percent of the subsequent $25 million, and 15 percent of any value beyond $50 million.”

The Yankees need outfield help beyond just Aaron Judge, Harrison Bader and Giancarlo Stanton. Aaron Hicks, who is signed long-term but hasn’t been the same in quite some time, just won’t cut it.

Independent of the Judge signing, New York was always going to increase their outfield depth one way or another.