MLB Insider reveals 3 Red Sox backup plans as race for Yoshinobu Yamamoto intensifies
If the Boston Red Sox miss out on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, it appears there are a few fallback options.
With Shohei Ohtani off the board, all the focus has shifted to Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The latest Red Sox rumors suggest that Boston is in the mix for Yamamoto, though the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees may be the frontrunners for the right-hander's services. Several within the industry believe Yamamoto may land a $300 million contract.
While the Boston Red Sox could certainly match that number, recent history suggests that's not going to happen. However, MLB Insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post mentioned three starters who could serve as a backup plan in the event that Yamamoto does not sign with the Red Sox.
1. Red Sox rumors: Jordan Montgomery is still on Boston's radar
Tell me something I don't know, right? Red Sox fans have heard Jordan Montgomery's name since the offseason began. However, the left-hander still remains unsigned. Is Montgomery, like so many other starters, waiting out the Yamamoto market, or are there other teams who are looking to outbid the Red Sox?
In his report, Jon Heyman mentioned that the Red Sox have checked in on Montgomery. However, Heyman also noted that a return to the Texas Rangers should not be ruled out. Despite the fact that Texas just signed Tyler Mahle this week, it's doubtful the Rangers are done spending this winter.
Montgomery is reportedly seeking a deal similar the one that Carlos Rodón signed with the New York Yankees last offseason. What looks like a drastic overpay at the moment netted Rodón $162 million.
Will the Boston Red Sox be willing to meet those expectations? Perhaps, but there are other pitchers that Boston's front office is apparently checking in on as well. If the Red Sox fail to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Jordan Montgomery, who else are they eyeing?
2. Red Sox rumors: Boston is eyeing another pitcher from Japan
If the Boston Red Sox fail to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shōta Imanaga isn't a bad consolation prize. The left-hander was teammates with Yamamoto in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and played in Nippon Professional Baseball last season as well.
While most of the focus is on Yamamoto, and rightfully so, Imanaga is no slouch. The southpaw is 64-50 while pitching for eight seasons overseas in NPB and owns a 3.18 ERA. Last season, Imanaga posted a 2.66 ERA in 24 games and logged over 150 innings.
The Red Sox are not alone in their pursuit of Shōta Imanaga. Jon Heyman in his report mentions four other teams who could be in the hunt for the left-hander's services as well.
The New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs will all likely be vying for Imanaga's services if they miss out on Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Heyman also suggests that Imanaga will wait until Yamamoto decides where he'll be playing next season before making his intentions known. This is obviously a wise move on the part of Imanaga and his representation, as those teams who miss out on Yamamoto will be looking to pivot quickly with their wallets open.
Imanaga is 30 years old, and that will inevitably effect the length of the contract he's expected to sign. While Yamamoto might be looking at seven years or more, Imanaga is more likely to sign a four- or five-year deal this offseason.
3. Red Sox rumors: Boston could sign All-Star seeking bounce-back season
Probably the least popular of the three backup plans the Boston Red Sox are reported to have set in place involves inking Lucas Giolito to a contract. The free agent was traded from the Chicago White Sox last summer and then picked up off waivers by the Cleveland Guardians.
Giolito, who was an All-Star in 2019 and a Cy Young contender that season as well, has fallen on hard times. The right-hander pitched well for the South Siders in 2023, but his wheels came off after being dealt to the Los Angeles Angels.
During his brief stint with the Halos, Giolito started six games and posted an ERA near 7.00. After that disaster, LA attempted to save some money over the final month of the season and jettisoned Giolito, along with other veterans like Hunter Renfroe and Reynaldo Lopez.
Giolito landed in Cleveland and served up 11 gopher balls in six starts for the Guardians while allowing 24 runs to cross the plate in just over 30 innings of work. It wasn't pretty.
However, Giolito would still be the perfect candidate to sign a pillow contract and look to bounce back in 2024 before returning to the free agent market once again next winter. Giolito could help stablize the rotation for at least one season, though it wouldn't be crazy to see him sign a two-year pact either.
Inking Giolito would offer upside at what's likely to be a severe discount compared to the likely contracts that both Jordan Montgomery and Shōta Imanga are hoping to sign. The Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked to Giolito as well.
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