Yankees make second offer to Blake Snell for 35M, 1-year, claims insider

Monday February 19, 2024

Just when Blake Snell appeared destined for pinstriped purgatory after Marcus Stroman’s signing by the Yankees, fresh rumors hint at revived Bronx overtures. The latest buzz from USA Today suggests serious lingering interest for the former Cy Young winner to serve as Gerrit Cole’s wingman. An initial five-year, $150 million offer crumbled under lofty dollar demands, but a compromise could yet come calling.

As reported by ace columnist Bob Nightengale, the Yankees have re-engaged Blake Snell with short-term proposals reaching $35 million in annual value if not long-term security. The goal remains prising away Blake Snell’s price tag after initial rejections while still acknowledging his co-ace upside.

“The New York Yankees, who offered free-agent starter Blake Snell a five-year, $150 million contract before turning to Marcus Stroman last month, still have serious interest in him,” according to Nightengale. “They are waiting to see if his asking price drops on a long-term deal or if he agrees to take a short-term contract that could pay him in excess of $35 million a year.”

Indeed, other Yankee insiders confirm intent to contend for Blake Snell’s services. Per Jon Heyman, exceeding even Carlos Rodon’s $162 million brass ceiling wasn’t out of the question for the right multi-year marriage. And with a glaring number two hole still gaping behind Cole, the Bronx has both motivation and resources to broker a truce.

Free-agent pitcher Blake Snell, a key target for the Yankees for the 2024 season, is seen celebrating at Petco Park in the 2023 season. — snellzilla4

Initial reports conveyed the club’s willingness to furnish the former Cy Young winner five years and $150 million. But snagging an ace commands a blind eye to fiscal restraint, and talks faded when the price was deemed short of royal flush hopes. Publicly, inklings surfaced that the organization could have scaled even taller than Carlos Rodón’s deal should the face cards fall right. Alas, still no handshake amidst the widening chasm between reasonable budgeting and penthouse privilege pursuit.

Who else for Blake Snell if not the Yankees

Blake Snell’s free agency saga drags on without a definitive suitor, though whispers suggest the Angels loom as potential 11th-hour rainmakers. Per Jon Heyman, the Los Angeles casi-contenders maintain contact while awaiting ownership blessing for a record rotation raid. But with asking prices not budging to match weary wallets, the movement remains stalled.

The standoff leaves the warming seat vacant for understudies to steal oxygen and opportunities. Witness San Francisco taking the plunge on relief convert Jordan Hicks – four years to audition starting skills without ace-level sticker shock. Such mid-market investments imply analytically-modelled budgets won’t bend for unquantifiable upside, even with spring stadiums now buzzing.

Yankees captain Aaron Judge with San Diego pitcher Blake-Snell in May 2023. — X-@NY_EvilEmpire

And the Blue Jays’ “quiet monitoring” of Blake Snell per Bob Nightengale hints more modest mobilization. Their tranquil approach belies previous free agent provocations, suggesting the left hander’s fate may drag deeper into the exhibition season. Market principles dictate an eventual thaw, but the win-now Jays seem content on prudent patience, not panic buys.

Yet another suitor scratched off Blake Snell’s dwindling destination board after the Giants grabbed former reliever Jordan Hicks with starter ambitions. As first conveyed by Jeff Passan, San Francisco secured the fireballing opportunity buy for four years, seemingly shifting aspirations from Snell. Indeed, colleague Bob Nightengale declared Hicks’ acquisition closes the Golden Gate entrance for the ex-Cy Young winner.

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