Yankees refrained from surrendering uniform number in hopes of acquiring prized Japanese free agent: report

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The New York Yankees are coming off their most disappointing season in a generation.

Their 82-80 record was their worst since 1993, the last time they finished under .500.

After winning 99 games in 2022, they missed the postseason for the first time since 2016.

The franchise may look to a star Japanese pitcher to help turn things around. 

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto of Team Japan delivers a pitch against Team Mexico during the fifth inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinals at loanDepot Park March 20, 2023, in Miami, Fla. (Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is available for all 30 MLB teams to sign, and some in the market believe the 25-year-old may land a $200 million contract.

To help in their efforts to land him, the Yankees refrained from issuing his uniform No. 18 last season, SNY reported.

The No. 18 signifies a pitching staff's ace in Japan. Yamamoto wore the number with the Orix Buffaloes.

When the Yankees signed Masahiro Tanaka out of Japan in 2014, he switched from No. 18 to 19 out of respect for Hiroki Kuroda, who was wearing the prized number for New York at the time. 

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto of Team Japan celebrates with teammates after a 3-2 victory over Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game at loanDepot Park March 21, 2023, in Miami, Fla.  (Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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Tanaka stuck with No. 19 his entire Yankee career despite he and