Shohei Ohtani prepares to take the field before Game 5 of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 30, 2024. MLB Photos via Getty Images

Since Oct. 7, 2020 — when Masahiro Tanaka threw his final pitch in pinstripes in Game 3 of the ALDS — the Yankees have not employed a Japanese-born pitcher on their roster.

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That has not been for a lack of effort, both in their scouting of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) players and their recruitment, but the Yankees have gone cold in their ability to land the top talent from across the world — thanks in large part to the Dodgers. Last winter, it was Roki Sa

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