A new report about what Blake Snell may be looking for in his next contract should give the New York Mets and New York Yankees a big reason to consider pursuing him more seriously.
This has been an interesting offseason for the New York Yankees and New York Mets. Despite a narrative that both teams would be more financially conservative this offseason, the pair of NYC baseball clubs were a part of one of the most heated and expensive chases in MLB free agency last month.
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Both the Mets and Yankees were reportedly two of the top contenders for 25-year-old Japanese Ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The pair of organizations were in the hunt down to the wire and were each willing to pay the three-time Nippon Professional Baseball MVP $300 million or more in a potential deal. In the end, Yamamoto took a 12-year, $325 million contract to join his countryman Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While they failed in their chase for Yamamoto, improving their starting rotation is still a major priority for both organizations. That is why many assumed the two wealthy clubs would shift their focus to the top arm left in free agency, National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. However, it seems that either his age or the latest asking price has led to lukewarm interest from the Mets and Yankees.
New York Mets or New York Yankees could potentially land Blake Snell on short-term deal
However, a new report might make them reconsider their efforts in the coming weeks. According to MassLive.com MLB writer Chris Cotillo, the 31-year-old might be open to a contract low in years and high on annual salary.
“Some now believe he might command a shorter, more creative deal for a team in win-now mode,” Cotillo recently wrote. “Earlier this week, a person with knowledge of the pitching market suggested something like a three-year deal with a high average annual value, and opt-outs may be the route teams take with Snell.”
With the Yankees very much in win-now mode since Juan Soto will be a free agent after this week, and manager Aaron Boone’s job is on the line this season, the organization might be open to that unique deal to bring a championship to the Bronx in 2024. Furthermore, it would help maintain their long-term payroll flexibility as they try to re-sign Soto next winter.
The Mets have done such deals in the past, both with Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. While it may not be what new president David Stearns prefers, owner Steve Cohen could be open to a deal with opt-outs to make sure the team is more competitive than they are currently set up to be next season.
