Japanese Slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo Attended ALCS at Yankee Stadium Ahead of Free Agency

Let the Tsutsugo-Yankees rumors begin! If they hadn't already begun the second word leaked that a Japanese slugger was planning to be posted, that is.

With plenty of available at-bats next season in left field, at first base, and at DH, spelling some of the Yankees' primary power contributors, it would behoove the NYY to link up with a bench option who can provide plate discipline and pop to the short porch.

One potential solution, which has been foisted upon the game in recent days, is 27-year-old Japanese slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, whose posting became public knowledge late Monday night, and who's received Kyle Schwarber comparisons already. Would he be a fit with the Yankees? Of course. Is something already in the works? Well...he attended the ALCS earlier this month, so...maybe?

Tsutsugo watched at least two of the three home ALCS games the Yankees played, including Game 4, when countryman Masahiro Tanaka took the mound.

“I thought the atmosphere was amazing,” Tsutsugo said, of Yankee Stadium. “I also thought it was a really high level of play.”

The high-OBP slugger has ample pop, and has even been compared visually to Bryce Harper, with reports citing his uncorking mechanism and swing windup. Worst-case scenarios for Tsutsugo have him as an all-or-nothing slugger, but his keen eye should cover up some of those concerns.

And the Yankees have traditionally thrived with a Japanese slugger who can hit the short porch from the left side prominently involved.

Don't say we didn't warn you.