The Yankees are one of the “most aggressive” pursuers of Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki, according to the Boston Sports Journal’s Sean McAdam, along with the Red Sox and Blue Jays.
But because of the MLB lockout, Suzuki’s 30-day posting window — which began when he was posted on Nov. 22 — was halted, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman declined to elaborate on Sunday about the team’s involvement with Suzuki.
“I can’t speak to even that,” Cashman, who was in Stamford, Conn. on Sunday as part of the Heights & Lights festival that involved him rappelling down a building, said via NJ.com. “If he comes over here, it would be a major-league situation. So I can’t speak to that.”
The Post’s Ken Davidoff ranked Suzuki No. 36 on his list of the top 40 free agents early last month. According to the New York Times, Joel Wolfe, Suzuki’s agent, said on Nov. 29 that between eight and 15 teams had expressed interest in the outfielder, and some had conducted meetings remotely. Wolfe also said he expected Suzuki to make in-person visits before deciding which team he’d sign with.
Over the last six seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Hiroshima Carp, Suzuki hit .318 with at least 25 home runs, 26 doubles and 75 RBIs in each season. He slugged 38 home runs with 88 RBIs and nine steals this year, and last week he earned his fifth Mitsui Golden Glove.
“Our preparation for him was to be a little more cautious,” Nick Martinez, a former MLB pitcher who played for the United States in the Tokyo Olympics and lost to Japan in the gold medal game, told the Times. “Japan had an all-star team. All eight hitters have major league potential, so to bat fourth in that lineup is all you need to know about his ability.”
Suzuki could present an outfield solution for the Yankees, with concerns surrounding Aaron Hicks and Joey Gallo. But according to the Boston Sports Journal, the Red Sox’s acquisition of Jackie Bradley Jr. and other prospects in exchange for Hunter Renfroe could also serve as a move to clear a spot for Suzuki, most likely in right field, where he’d pair with Kiké Hernandez in center and Alex Verdugo in left.