Insider claims Yankees willing to sign another ace

Wednesday February 21, 2024

While their primary focus seems to be internal improvement from existing pitchers, the Yankees haven’t completely ruled out adding another starting arm, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Though the likelihood of a major signing appears low, they remain open to exploring available options.

Among the free agent starters still available, Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery stand out as potential fits. The Yankees have been linked to both players through rumors and reports, leaving the possibility of a late addition open.

Rosenthal stated that the Yankees have indicated ongoing interest in left-handed pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. However, according to a report by Brendan Kuty and Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the team’s luxury tax implications would result in a hefty cost for a one-year, $40 million deal with Snell, ballooning to $84 million.

blake-snell-san-diego-padres-yankees — AP Photo

Jordan-Montgomery-new-york-yankees — AP Photo

Awaiting the first domino to fall, the free agency market remains on hold with a key question: will Scott Boras and his high-profile clients like Blake Snell make a move, or will the seemingly patient Yankees blink first?

Boras’ potential strategy of signing Snell early to set a benchmark for Jordan Montgomery’s deal, as per the Wall Street Journal (though denied by Boras), seems to have stalled. This slow pace isn’t unprecedented. In 2014, five qualifying offer players, two represented by Boras, waited until mid-February or later to sign. Similar situations arose in 2018 with J.D. Martinez and Yu Darvish, and in 2019 with Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, all reaching deals close to or past February.

These historical comparisons remind us that the current stalemate isn’t necessarily unusual. However, with spring training rapidly approaching, concerns regarding player preparation and roster stability are rising. The Players Association even established spring training camps in previous years due to similar delays.

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