Spring training is less than two weeks away. And the New York Yankees are still pondering on the potential pitching reinforcements. Blake Snell’s sweepstakes have hit a stalemate owing to the pitcher’s ridiculously high price tag. Besides, the Yanks recently lost reliever Wandy Peralta to the San Diego Padres.
Thus, as it stands, the New York Yankees’ options are drying up with each passing hour. Meanwhile, Yank Al-East rivals are getting stronger day by day. Defending AL-East champions, the Baltimore Orioles orchestrated a bold trade that could dampen the Bronx Bombers’ odds of winning a division title in the upcoming season.
Baltimore Orioles Trade Corbin Burnes In Shocking Move
The New York Yankees lost the Al-East division title to the Baltimore Orioles last season. The Orioles, without an ace starter in the starting rotation, registered 101 wins to unleash a new era of dominance. Meanwhile, earlier this year, the Orioles announced a new ownership group to adopt the bullish approach further in the off-season. Amid the change, the defending AL-East division winners have pulled off an unexpected trade deal. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported it first. As a part of the deal, the Orioles acquired ace starter Corbin Burnes from Milwaukee Brewers and sent infielder Joey Ortiz, left-hander D.L. Hall, and the 34th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft back to Milwaukee. Interestingly, the Yanks were once actively linked to Burnes earlier this free agency.
However, the pitcher scared the team away with a bombshell claim on a podcast appearance. Corbin Burnes said on Foul Territory that he does not plan on signing an extension contract with the team that trades for him. Burned added that it would take something extraordinary to stop him from exploring free agency in 2025. It’s important to note Corbin is entering his walk year and will become an unrestricted free agent by the end of the 2024 season. Thus, it’s pretty bold for the Baltimore Orioles to pull the plug, given the future implications. Regardless, the trade of Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles is bad news for the New York Yankees. They have already lost Yoshinobu Yamamoto this off-season. While Marcus Stroman was signed later, the Yanks could use an ace, perhaps. Blake Snell remains the team’s ideal option. However, the hefty price tag will continue to pose a big roadblock in this blockbuster pursuit.
Yankees Opt-Out Off Blake Snell Pursuit?
Blake Snell is determined to use his two CY Young accolades to fetch a record deal this off-season. He apparently asked for a $270 million contract from the New York Yankees. However, the Bombers only had $150 million to offer to the defending NL CY Young pitcher. Needless to say, the negotiations have been stalled ever since.
Moreover, the latest rumors suggest that the Yankees have dropped Blake Snell’s pursuit. Managing partner Hal Steinbrenner is not keen on offering this much money to Blake Snell, given the risk of regression. Also, the team signed Marcus Stroman earlier this year in a two-year $37 million deal. Therefore, the starting rotation gaps have been duly filled.
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