The New York Yankees have been favorites for landing Blake Snell for a long time. However, the asking price of the two-time Cy Young winner was the biggest obstacle for the Bronx Bombers to seal the deal. Since the offseason started after the terrible 2023 season, the 27-time champions have been eyeing one solid starting pitcher who can fit alongside their ace Gerrit Cole. But they have missed several such opportunities to sign an ace pitching-caliber starter in the offseason. Initially, the NY side was more focused on reinforcing their offense, which was really bad last year. But the starting pitching lineup has not been very dependable since last season.
Clearly, the injury issues have played a major role in making the lineup look shaky. For instance, injuries to Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes really weakened the Yankees’ defense. Despite Gerrit Cole having a Cy Young-winning campaign in 2023, the rest of the roster failed to impress. At present, the situation got even worse as Cole sustained a right elbow injury that will keep him out of match practice for one to two months. In such a scenario, another Cy Young winner like Blake Snell would solve the starter’s issue of the NY side. But now even that opportunity is unavailable as the San Francisco Giants signed Snell for a two-year deal worth $62 million.
Blake Snell Erases The Rumored Link With The Yankees As He Signs With The Giants
Snell has been a two-time Cy Young winner. He entered the free agency after the 2023 season as the reigning NL Cy Young winner. Moreover, he waited a long time in the market as a free agent. Initially, the Yankees offered him a $150 million deal over six years or so. However, he declined the offer because his agent, Scott Boras, mentioned that Snell was looking for a nine-year deal worth $270 million. It was too high for the NY side. They are constantly thinking about the luxury payroll tax.
Anyhow, for Snell, after a long wait, he managed to find a team to be with for multiple years. As per The New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the multi-year deal between Blake Snell and the Giants contains an opt-out clause after the 2024 season. Moreover, the Giants will also have to pay Snell a signing bonus of $17 million in 2026. Clearly, it is no surprise why Snell had such a high asking price. Last year, he led the league with a 2.25 ERA as well as a 1.19 WHIP. He made 32 starts for the San Diego Padres in 2023.
How The Two-time Cy Young Winner Would Have Helped The Bronx Bombers?
Since Gerrit Cole is unavailable for at least a month, Blake Snell could have been the ace pitcher for the Pinstripes. He could have been the temporary ace until the 2023 AL Cy Young winner returns. But with two starters who are the best in the business, the title hopes for the Yankees Nation would have been beyond the roofs.
When Snell declined the Yankees’ offer of $150 million, the NY side turned to Marcus Stroman for a two-year deal worth $37 million. Moreover, Andy Martino of SNY reported that Cole’s right elbow injury did not change the Yankees’ plans for Snell. Now, the two-time Cy Young can stop thinking about what it would be like wearing the iconic “Pinstripe” uniform. He will be a Giant for two years.
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