New York, NY – The New York Yankees are still in negotiations with left-hander Blake Snell, the top starting pitcher in the current MLB free-agent market. While the Yankees had previously made an offer to Snell earlier this month, no deal was reached due to a significant gap between the two sides. However, there is now reason for optimism as the reported gap has decreased, making it more likely that a deal could be reached later in the offseason.
According to an update from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Yankees offered Snell a six-year, $150 million contract. However, Snell is looking for either a longer deal or one with an annual salary of at least $30 million. The gap between the two parties is still substantial, but it is not as wide as previously reported, where they were reportedly almost $100 million apart in negotiations.
While there has been interest from other teams in Snell this offseason, the Yankees are the only team to have formally put forward an offer to him. It remains unclear if the Yankees are still pursuing Snell after signing right-hander Marcus Stroman to a two-year deal. The Yankees have also been focusing on bullpen additions this offseason, which could impact their pursuit of Snell.
The addition of Stroman has certainly improved the Yankees’ rotation, but they still lack a reliable front-of-the-rotation arm to pair with ace Gerrit Cole. Snell, who won the NL Cy Young Award last season, would provide another reliable and talented arm to the Yankees’ rotation. He has averaged 27 starts a season over the past three years, making him an attractive option for any team.
If the Yankees and Snell are unable to reach a deal, there are other teams that could potentially be interested in his services. The San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels, and Toronto Blue Jays are among the suitors for Snell this offseason.
In other news from the Bronx, Yankees’ veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo has been cleared for full baseball activities after dealing with a head injury last year. Rizzo sustained a concussion in a collision with Fernando Tatis Jr. last May, which led to him being placed on the injured list. Before the injury, Rizzo had an impressive .304 batting average with a .376 on-base percentage. If he can replicate that production in 2024, he will be a key player for the Yankees as they aim to return to the playoffs.
The Yankees’ slugger Giancarlo Stanton is also reportedly in a good place health-wise heading into the upcoming season. Stanton had a challenging 2023 campaign, hitting just .191 with a .275 on-base percentage. However, he has been working on his diet and conditioning this offseason to ensure a healthy return to action in 2024. Manager Aaron Boone has mentioned that Stanton may occasionally start in the outfield, even after the club’s recent outfield additions.
As for Aaron Judge, he is set to take on the role of the Yankees’ regular center fielder in 2024. Despite his history of injuries, Judge’s manager is confident in his ability to handle the position. The team plans to rest Judge as the designated hitter or in left field once or twice a week, with Trent Grisham taking over duties in center. This strategy aims to keep Judge healthy while still utilizing the outfield’s other regulars.
In conclusion, negotiations between the New York Yankees and Blake Snell continue, with a smaller gap between the two parties. While the Yankees have made an offer to Snell, it remains to be seen if they will pursue a deal after adding Marcus Stroman to their rotation. The Yankees’ rotation could greatly benefit from Snell’s talent and reliability, but other teams are also interested in signing him. Additionally, news from the Bronx indicates that both Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton are in good health and ready to contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season. Aaron Judge will take on a new role as the team’s regular center fielder, with occasional rest days to keep him healthy.