The New York Yankees’ quest to add a potent starting pitcher to the 2024 MLB season rotation is still active. With less than six weeks to go for spring training, most teams have locked in their roster. But not the Bronx Bombers. They continue to sort out options for starting pitchers in a minimal market.
While the Yankees were keen on a reunion with Jordan Montgomery, the latter refuses to let go of the grudge he holds against the franchise. In the meantime, the Yanks were also linked to two-time CY Young award-winning pitcher Blake Snell. While they made an introductory offer earlier this week, the Scott Boras client seemingly rejected the generous deal.
Blake Snell Rejects Yankees’ $150 Million Offer!
In a surprising turn of events during the MLB offseason, left-handed pitcher Blake Snell found himself at the center of attention as reports emerged that he had turned down a lucrative contract offer from the New York Yankees. Snell is the only remaining top free-agent starting pitcher in the market. Thus, he managed to garner enough attention in the market. He led MLB in ERA last season and bagged his second career CY Young award. Moreover, as a Scott Boras client, Snell unsurprisingly put a steep price tag on himself. Meanwhile, the Bronx Bombers did try to match that inflated tag and reportedly made an introductory offer to the pitcher, per Mike Rodriguez.
The Yankees offered Blake Snell a $150 million deal for five years. But the defending NL Cy Young awardee refused to entertain the plea as he asked for extra money or one more year. Rumors also add that Snell is not looking to settle down for anything less than a $200 million offer. However, general manager Brian Cashman does not believe Snell is worth that much. Thus, Cashman deferred the money to land Marcus Stroman in a relatively cheaper deal. As per reports, Yanks and Stroman are in agreement on a two-year deal worth $37 million with a vesting option for a third year. With that, the Yanks are unlikely to add any more arms to their pitching arsenal for the upcoming season because the market has ceased to exist.
Yanks Avoid Arbitration With As Many As 10 Players!
In other news, the New York Yankees have agreed to a one-year contract with as many as 10 arbitration-eligible players. LHP Victor Gonzalez, OF Trent Grisham, RHP Clay Holmes, RHP Jonathan Loaisiga, RHP Clarke Schmidt, OF Juan Soto, INF Gleyber Torres, C Jose Trevino, and OF Alex Verdugo have successfully avoided arbitration with the Bronx Bombers at the deadline.
Meanwhile, Juan Soto fetched the most expensive contract, which cost $31 million. Next up, Gleyber Torres settled for a $14.2 million contract compared to his $15 million market value. Alex Vergudo also attained an $8.7 million contract. The rest settled for below $5 million. With that, the Yankees roster for the 2024 MLB season seems locked. The lineup will regroup by February 20 at Tampa for spring training.
