Two-Time Cy Young Award Winner Pitcher Receives Initial Offer From Yankees
Both 2023 Cy Young winners pitching in the Bronx is what the Yankees desire.
When the New York Yankees acquired San Diego Padres slugger Juan Soto, it was one of the greatest trades of the MLB offseason. However, the Bronx Bombers haven’t indicated that they’re content to draw in just one All-Star. Looking for more star power in 2024, top executive Brian Cashman may approach one of Soto’s old colleagues.
Free agency pitcher Blake Snell, who took home the NL Cy Young Award the previous year, is the target of a contract offer from the Yankees. After playing together in San Diego for a portion of two seasons, Snell and Soto will undoubtedly rejoin in New York City before Opening Day and for many more to come, if the Yankees have their wish.
Is Snell about to finalize a deal?
Snell started his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, an AL East rival of the Yankees. MLB insider Jon Heyman said on Thursday that the Yankees had extended an official contract offer to Snell. The Yankees have other pitchers on their wish list to back up staff ace Gerrit Cole, such as Marcus Stroman, whom they agreed to sign on Thursday night. Heyman, however, cautioned that the player and club were “far apart” on a contract.
Despite all, the Yankees, who want to move past a dismal 2023 and get back into the World Series, must find it hard not to be enticed to link up with Cole and Snell, the current champions of the AL and NL, respectively. For the first time since 2016, New York missed the playoffs after finishing 82–80.
The Yankees’ lack of a title
After the disastrous season last year, the Yankees are more eager to acquire superstars this winter. Signing Stroman does not necessarily mean that they won’t make another go at Snell. Since beating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games that season, New York has not only failed to get to the Fall Classic but has not even won the World Series since 2009.
The Los Angeles Dodgers spent almost $1 billion to recruit Japanese players Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Snell is considered the finest pitcher available at this time. Although he let up a league-worst 99 walks in 2023, the left-hander concluded the season with a 14-9 record, an MLB-best 2.25 ERA, and 234 strikeouts.
