Yankees Linked To Blue Jays Superstar After Missing Out On Yoshinobu Yamamoto

It sounds like one former Blue Jays star could make sense for the Yankees in free agency

The New York Yankees already have improved this offseason but there still is work to be done.

New York entered the offseason with two priorities. The Yankees need to improve the middle of the lineup and also add some frontline talent to bolster the starting rotation. New York has improved the offense by adding Juan Soto but still needs to add more pitching. 

The Yankees missed out on former Orix Buffaloes superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto and could turn to other starters in free agency. New York also still could add more offensive firepower, as well. One player who could make sense in free agency is former Toronto Blue Jays slugger Matt Chapman, according to SNY's Anthony McCarron.

"There’s more than one way to prevent runs," McCarron said. "What if the Yanks signed Matt Chapman, a four-time Gold Glove winner, to play third base? He would add defense. Dingers, too, since he has four seasons of 24-plus homers in the majors, including a high of 36 in 2019.

"Chapman is not coming off a platform season with the Blue Jays – he batted .240 with 165 strikeouts and 17 homers, his lowest longball total since 2017. Maybe that keeps the contract palatable. But Chapman still hit the ball hard last season, holding the fifth-highest average exit velocity in MLB. Maybe that leads to bigger numbers in 2024. And the Yanks have made moves designed to improve their defense in recent years – that’s what the (Jordan Montgomery)-(Harrison Bader_ trade was about."

Chapman has been linked to the Yankees on multiple occasions already this offseason. While a move still should be considered unlikely, it can't be ruled out.