After a hectic offseason, the New York Yankees resolved a number of roster concerns that resulted in a poor 2023 season. However, they still haven’t added a real ace to their rotation to go along with Gerrit Cole.
That might soon change, though, as NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell is expected to receive a higher offer from the organization, according to MLB journalist Gabe Lacques of USA Today.
“To create enviable, if unexpected, rotation depth, Snell swallows some pride and the Yankees sweeten their offer just a little bit,” projected Lacques.
The Yankees have been linked to Snell for a significant portion of the summer; according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the organization has made Snell his lone offer to yet, which is a $150 million, six-year contract. That article states that Snell is seeking roughly $270 million spread over nine years.
Given how Carlos Rodon’s injuries have hampered their six-year, $162 million pact, the Yankees might be hesitant to spend so heavily for a starting pitcher. Despite having a strong career and having now won two Cy Young awards, Snell is not thought to be very durable or reliable over a significant amount of innings.
However, Snell’s addition, at any cost, has been pushed by Yankees supporters and even a few existing players to the executive staff. Colleague Scott Boeck of Lacques pointed out that it would be impossible for New York to turn down the opportunity to add the southpaw to a rotation anchored by Cole.
“The Bronx Bombers, who are all participating in this upcoming season, will have a historic one-two punch thanks to the pairing of Snell and Gerrit Cole, two reigning Cy Young Award winners,” Boeck said.
While some experts predict that Snell will eventually find a better deal elsewhere, Lacques thinks that the Yankees and Snell will strike a compromise somewhere in their negotiations.
Jesse Yomtov, the MLB editor for USA Today, and Nightengale, who both wrote alongside Lacques and Boeck, both projected that he would sign with the Los Angeles Angels.
According to Nightingale, “the Angels were aggressive early in expressing how much they want him, and they are just waiting for his price-tag to drop below $200 million to seal the deal.”
“There doesn’t seem to be a perfect fit for Snell out there, and the Angels’ salary is estimated (to be) approximately $150 million for 2024, giving the team plenty of room to sign the best pitcher on the market,” Yomtov continued.
The only pundit to finally predict that Snell would stay in the National League was Steve Gardner, a sports reporter for USA Today. Gardner said the San Francisco Giants would be the team that would eventually sign Snell.
Gardner stated that “they have a serious need for another top starter to pair with Logan Webb.”
It appears that Lacques may decide to go to New York above any other location if the Yankees make the offer that he anticipates. A few weeks ago, the southpaw expressed interest in joining the team. It appears that his preferred team can meet his asking price if he is prepared to drop it.
