The New York Yankees are not going to be big spenders this winter, but that doesn't mean they won't look to make a couple of additions in free agency or by trade.
Cody Bellinger is a priority re-signing candidate, but with their reported interest in Edward Cabrera before he was dealt to the Chicago Cubs, a starting pitcher would hardly be a surprise addition.
However, according to ESPN's David Schoenfield, the Yankees are not an "optimal fit" for a Toronto Blue Jays free agent starter who's one of the best available righties. They aren't a good fit thanks to an interesting reason.
Blue Jays starter isn't a good Yankees fit thanks to stadium dynamics
"Bassitt has had a big platoon split the past two seasons, with left-handers posting an.844 OPS against him and right-handers.623." Shcoenfield writes. "So, for teams such as the Yankees, Phillies, and Orioles - who play in three of the best parks for left-handed power hitters - Bassitt isn't an optimal fit."
This is one of the more interesting reasons why a player isn't a good fit with a team in free agency. Chris Bassitt is a Blue Jays starter who is one of the best starting pitchers left on the market.
He's more of an innings eater than a frontline ace, but for the Yankees, who need someone to pick up innings amid injuries to Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon, Bassitt would've been a decent option.
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But, with left-handed hitters clobbering his stuff in 2025, with an OPS of.844, and the Yankees' hitter-friendly park for left-handed hitters, this is far from a good fit.
There could still be a link this winter, but the Yankees have a strong reason now to have little to no interest in the former Blue Jays starter.
A few other starters make more sense for the Yankees this winter, and Bassitt is not an ideal fit thanks to his poor platoon splits and the dynamics of Yankee Stadium.
It's an interesting reason to not go after someone in free agency, but it makes a lot of sense from the Yankees' perspective.
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