Yankees Projected To Sign Ace To Huge 7-Year, $196M Deal ...

By Zach Pressnell

Contributing Sports Writer

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The New York Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball, but they need to make some moves in free agency.

They were a step behind the Toronto Blue Jays last year, and the Blue Jays have already reportedly agreed to a deal with Dylan Cease. The Yankees need to keep pace in free agency, or they'll fall behind in the American League East.

Jackson Roberts of Fastball OnSi recently projected the Yankees would sign Japanese free agent Tatsuya Imai to a massive seven-year, $196 million deal in free agency.

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"While we're not going to rule the Los Angeles Dodgers out based on Imai's comments that he'd rather beat the defending World Series champions than join them, there are likely going to be teams that love that mentality so much that they're willing to throw a few extra dollars his way," Roberts wrote. "And although owner Hal Steinbrenner keeps talking about tightening the purse strings, ultimately, the New York Yankees still have it in them to beat out just about any foe for a free agent when they feel like doing so."

The Yankees aren't in desperate need of a starting pitcher, but if they could find a way to fit this into their payroll, it would make them much better.

New York's priority should be re-signing Cody Bellinger, but adding Imai alongside him would be a huge complementary move. Imai has expressed his eagerness to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, a feat the Yankees are still chasing after their 2024 World Series loss.

More MLB: Yankees All-Star Projected To Sign 3-Year, $51 Million Deal After Down Year

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