The New York Yankees had a pretty interesting offseason so far. After a terrible 2023 season, there was not much hope left for the fans. But the franchise did have a deep and balanced bullpen. However, that was not useful for the NY side to make the postseason last year. They failed to do it last year. If that was bad, then the Bronx Bombers finished the season with an awful 82-80 record. It was their worst season in the last 30 years. However, they did not make the postseason in 2016 either. But the Yankees showed good intent to make some significant changes this offseason. They landed Juan Soto to make the roster look attractive.
Now, the outfield with Aaron Judge alongside Juan Soto makes the Yankees one of the strongest in the American League. Moreover, they have the 2023 AL Cy Young winner as their ace pitcher. But the NY side has been looking for another ace pitcher to fit alongside Gerrit Cole since the start of the offseason. They had initial plans to land Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, the Japanese sensation did not like the idea of going to the East Coast. Hence, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now, the Yankees are trying their best to land Blake Snell as their ace starting pitcher.
Can The Yankees Land Blake Snell At Last?
The Yankees had offered the two-time Cy Young winner a six-year deal worth $150 million, as per Bob Nightengale. But the San Diego Padres ace pitcher refused the offer because his agent, Scott Boras, said the asking price was $270 million for a 9-year deal. However, the Yankees did not seem interested in offering that deal. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman said the reason for hesitation was perhaps the awful first season of Carlos Rodon with the Yankees. Moreover, Rodon is worth $162 million. However, the Yankees might take a little bit of risk to land the best-starting pitcher from the current free agency.
Recently, USA Today’s Gabe Lacques predicted that the Yankees might be sweetening their offer as Blake Snell swallows some pride. Moreover, Scott Boeck, a colleague of Gabe Lacques, mentioned the idea of adding Snell to the rotation alongside Gerrit Cole is too irresistible for the NY side. Hence, they might actually go for it. In fact, fans and several players have been pushing the Yankees to get Snell at any cost. If they really seal the deal, then it would create a historic one-two punch all in 2024 for the Yankees, says Boeck.
Yankees Facing Fierce Competition For Snell
Lacques believes the Yankees and Snell can find some way to compromise in their negotiations. But other MLB insiders believe some other team can steal Snell away from the Bronx Bombers. Just like the LA Dodgers did with Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Bob Nightengale of USA Today mentioned the Los Angeles Angels can sign a deal with the two-time Cy Young winner.
The MLB insider said the Angels were pretty aggressive, showing how much they need him, and were just waiting for his asking price to get below $200 million. Then, they can seal a deal. Other USA Today MLB insiders like Steve Gardner feel Blake Snell would stay in the National League. Adding to that, Gardner said, the San Francisco Giants would land Snell.
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