According to The New York Post, the Yankees made an opening offer to top free-agent starter Blake Snell.
With little to no progress on Snell or two other top rotation targets — free agency Jordan Montgomery or trade-option Dylan Cease — the Yankees are beginning to turn their attention to the next pitchers on their list, including former Met Marcus Stroman.
Not only are the Yankees and White Sox still far apart on a Snell trade, but they’re also no closer in Cease trade talks — the White Sox want a large prospect package, including top outfield prospect Spencer Jones — and they’re beginning to suspect Montgomery would rather return to Texas or go elsewhere. If nothing changes in the next few days, Stroman, in particular, will continue to be a realistic alternative.
Here’s where they stand on seven different pitching scenarios:
1. Blake Snell:
The 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner has been announced. Snell, the 2023 NL Cy Young winner, has signed Gerrit Cole. However, this does not address the existing financial issue – the large discrepancy between ask and offer.
The Yankees appear to feel Snell wants to remain here and believe the biggest challenge will come from the Giants and Angels, who aren’t as competitive. Of course, it’s difficult to predict who else might be involved for a pitcher who finished last season with an MLB-best 1.20 ERA. The Phillies, who have some of baseball’s greatest free agents, are among those who have checked in and are looking for another starter.
2. Jordan Montgomery:
The Yankees like him more today than they did when they sent him to the Cardinals in exchange for Harrison Bader, but the bigger question is what Montgomery thinks about a return. Some believe he’d like to stay in Texas, where he was an October hero on his way to the Rangers’ first World Series triumph, if they can overcome their TV issue and swing a huge deal. The Phillies, Red Sox, Giants, Angels, and other teams are all interested.
3. Marcus Stroman:
Though the Yankees’ pursuit of Stroman is surprising given his previous derogatory tweets about GM Brian Cashman, there’s little choice now but to consider anyone this talented, consistent, and durable who’s interested in pitching in pinstripes, as he was a few years ago when he was said to be disappointed to be acquired in trade by the Mets instead. The Giants, Angels, Red Sox, and Orioles have all inquired about the pitcher, who was excellent in the first part of last season before being plagued by lingering problems.
4. Dylan Cease:
The Yankees appear unwilling to back down from a prospect-heavy package anchored by Jones, Vanderbilt’s top prospect.
The Orioles, who have the strongest prospects, are involved, as are the Dodgers, Reds, and many others. The long-held belief is that he will be traded, but conversations have slowed, and it’s likely that the White Sox would wait until the deadline to do it.
5. Jesus Luzardo:
There was said to be “no traction” in talks with the Marlins, who are discussing Luzardo, Edward Cabrera and other starters.
