The New York Yankees made one of this offseason's biggest splashes by completing a trade with the San Diego Padres for outfielder Juan Soto. Are they ready to put a disastrous 2023 behind them and get back to the playoffs in 2024?
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Team owner Hal Steinbrenner thinks so, but he's not just going to have his front office sit on its hands while top free agents are still available on the open market. Steinbrenner addressed the media on February 22 at the Yankees' spring training complex, which included Greg Joyce of the New York Post.
When discussing his team, the owner was clear in saying that he felt the Bombers are a championship-caliber team as they're currently constructed. However, he also said they "haven't stopped looking to improve, and we never will."
"I'm just going to tell you that we continue to look at a lot of different options," Steinbrenner went on to say. "Given where we are payroll-wise, any addition to the club is going to be a costly one, but I'm still willing to consider anything that comes my way, anything [GM Brian Cashman] and his team brings my way. I'll leave it at that.
"But we are not done trying to improve this team."
There are several top free agents still available, but the one New York has been most connected to recently is reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. The Yankees pursued him earlier in the winter, but his asking price was reportedly set at nine years and $270 million. So, general manager Brian Cashman quickly pivoted to Marcus Stroman to upgrade the rotation for two years and $37 million.
But since spring training is underway and Snell remains on the open market, it's forcing teams like the Yankees to re-think their stance with a potential opportunity to make an unexpected and meaningful roster addition.
Bringing Snell to the Bronx would give the Yankees a formidable one-two punch by pairing him with fellow 2023 Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. Along with adding a dependable starter like Stroman, it'd take pressure off hopeful bounceback candidates like Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes.
