The New York Yankees have made their fair share of big offseason splashes so far this winter, but after trading for outfielder Juan Soto and signing starting pitcher Marcus Stroman, it doesn't seem like there's room for free-agent hurler Blake Snell.
A two-time Cy Young winner, Snell is on the open market fresh off winning those honors for the second time in 2023 with the San Diego Padres. His agent, Scott Boras, is doing everything possible to make sure they capitalize on it — even if it means watching potential suitors drop out.
On January 4, SNY's Andy Martino reported that Snell had "privately expressed interest" in playing for the Bombers. New York was also interested in acquiring him and reportedly extended a five-year, $150 million offer to the southpaw on January 11. That offer was quickly rejected, and with Snell's asking price being in the $250 million range, general manager Brian Cashman pivoted to sign Stroman for two years and $37 million.
The New York Post's Joel Sherman didn't think signing Stroman would preclude the Yankees from still being in on Snell should his asking price drop. But during a January 17 livestream for Bleacher Report, MLB insider Jon Heyman said it's "unlikely" the Yankees are a realistic landing spot for the left-handed hurler.
It is 'unlikely' that the Yankees sign Blake Snell after signing Marcus Stroman, per @JonHeyman pic.twitter.com/MdnWqHIRpZ
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) January 17, 2024
As it currently stands, FanGraphs' Roster Resource has the following five hurlers making up the Yankees' Opening Day rotation:
- Gerrit Cole
- Carlos Rodon
- Marcus Stroman
- Clarke Schmidt
- Nestor Cortes
Cole is coming off his first-ever Cy Young Award season, and he's as solid as they come concerning taking the ball every fifth day. The biggest question marks reside with Rodon and Cortes, who both experienced injury-shortened 2023 campaigns. When they were healthy enough to be on the mound, their performance didn't mirror what they accomplished in 2022.
If Boras and Snell back down on their current contract demands, there's a chance the Yankees hop back in to pursue him. But that doesn't look like a realistic possibility based on the current situation.
