Yankees predicted to outbid Dodgers for $196M flamethrower to form trio with Gerrit Cole, Max Fried originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Yankees are aiming for a massive free agency period to return to World Series contention after their ALDS exit. One encouraging sign going into the offseason is that outfielder Aaron Judge will not require Tommy John surgery.

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“If Judge had required Tommy John surgery or some other significant elbow operation, that would have had lingering impacts into the 2026 season, though it seems Judge will be expected to be a full-time outfielder again next year. That should allow the Yankees to go into 2026 planning on having Judge in right and Stanton in the DH slot,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Darragh McDonald wrote.

The Yankees are expected to be aggressive in the starting rotation market this offseason. Interest will be heavy, as New York remains one of the league’s premier destinations. Pirates ace Paul Skenes has even been rumored to want to play for the Yankees at some point.

“Trust me he wants to play for the Yankees. I’ve heard him say it multiple times,” Skenes’ anonymous teammate said.

While that possibility may be years away, SI’s Jackson Roberts predicts the Yankees will go all out for Japanese star Tatsuya Imai.

“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. 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. Prediction: signs with Yankees for seven years, $196 million,” Roberts wrote.

Landing Imai would instantly make the Yankees’ rotation a nightmare for opponents alongside Gerrit Cole and Max Fried. That trio would be formidable.

Imai has built an impressive career in Japan and will look to make a similar impact in MLB. If he follows the recent trend of dominant Japanese pitching, there’s little doubt he will become a star.