Jon Heyman of the New York Post predicts that the Yankees are willing to pursue Justin Verlander and this impacts how far they can go in making the qualifying offer to Jameson Taillon.
After the 2022 ALCS debacle, the New York Yankees have a significant challenge ahead of the next season amid growing discontent among fans.
Justin Verlander is likely to have the third Cy Young Award of his career this year. In 2022, he had an ERA of 1.75, which was the best of his career. The extent to which the Yankees pursue him could impact whether or not they are interested in re-signing Taillon. Heyman believes that the New York franchise “still likes” the right-handed pitcher, who is 39 years old. He wrote:
“The Yankees loved the idea of importing Justin Verlander last winter, and they offered the right-hander $25 million. … They may try again, assuming Verlander opts out, but they don’t necessarily like their chances.”
Following a season in which he tied his career high with 14 victories, the 30-year-old player will be available for free agency this offseason.
According to Heyman, it would make perfect sense for the Yankees to make the qualifying offer to Taillon.
“While Taillon won’t get $19.65 million a year on a long-term deal, he is in the group of pitchers that may look good to current teams on a one-year, $19.65 million contract.”
Heyman anticipates that Taillon will sign a contract that is four years long and will be worth $60 million, whereas Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicts that the right-hander will sign a contract that is four years long and will be worth $70 million. Given the asking price, it’s also possible that Taillon has thrown his last game for the Yankees in pinstripes.
Last off-season, the Yankees proposed a $23 million, one-year deal to Verlander. But he signed a similar contract with the Astros that also had an opt-out option for 2023.
What do you think, leave a comment below?
