The New York Yankees, always identified for their focused eye on global talent, are currently targeting a new gem: 16-year-old Dominican Manny Cedeno. Identified for his offensive power and effective fielding capabilities, Cedeno is quickly enhancing as a player to watch. The raw athlete will be a vital player in the upcoming infield of the Yankees.

As the Yankees turn their attention to Cedeño, the door has closed on Roki Sasaki. However, this decision was not an easy one. Leaving behind the Japanese sensation will have significant implications for the team. So, what makes the Yankees so confident about their new target? The answer lies in decoding Cedeño’s capabilities. Baseball America ranks Manny Cedeño as the 15th-best international prospect for 2025.

Described as ‘one of the most advanced hitters in the 2025 international class’, the shortstop from the Dominican Republic has caught the Yankees’ attention. Scouts have confirmed this, with most of Cedeño’s tools scoring around 50 on an 80-point scale. “Dominican SS Manny Cedeño, 16, will headline the Yankees’ signings when the international period opens in a few hours,” reporter Francys Romero revealed.

Not just Cedeno, the Yankees are confident with Isaias Castillo and Carlos Bello. Castillo, an outfielder with 70-80 speed, is identified for his capability to hit instead of power. In addition, Bello, a shortstop, is identified for his powerful defense and game intelligence. They can provide versatility and are poised to enhance the team’s farm system and future roster. But is that enough to fill the gap that Roki Sasaki could have provided?

Yankees’ miss on Roki Sasaki could impact their international approach

With good cause, 22-year-old Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki has been a highly sought-after prospect. Sasaki has already had a vital effect in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, with a 102 mph fastball. In just 122 innings pitched in 2023, he recorded 156 strikeouts and a 1.09 ERA. Losing Sasaki is undoubtedly a blow, as his addition could have solidified the Yankees’ pitching staff for years to come.

On the contrary, missing out on Sasaki opens up multiple possibilities for the Yankees to reallocate their resources. The Yankees now have a little more budget flexibility because Sasaki was predicted to seek north of $5 million. The team has already committed $270.6 million to 13 players, which is the 2nd-highest amount in MLB, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The team just enhanced their lineup by signing Paul Goldschmidt with a 1-year, $12.5 million deal and signing left-hander Max Fried to a substantial eight-year, $218 million deal. By passing on Roki, the Yankees gain financial flexibility to enhance their roster. Sasaki’s departure, though vital, opens new scopes for the Yankees—there are more options to pursue and manage their competitiveness.