While the New York Yankees made a strong effort to sign Blake Snell before he decided to join the San Francisco Giants this week, it seems there were two specific reasons why they lost another bidding war for a star pitcher in MLB free agency.
A primary goal for the Yankees heading into the offseason was to try and beef up the starting rotation behind ace Gerrit Cole. That goal took on even more urgency when it was revealed earlier this month that the 2023 American League Cy Young had an issue with the UCL in his pitching elbow.
- Blake Snell stats (2023): 14-9 record, 2.25 ERA, 1.189 WHIP, 234 SO, 99 BB
During the offseason, they did add All-Star Marcus Stroman, but he was not the type of splash they were aiming for, like Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto who they lost to the Dodgers. However, they still had one last chance at a major impact move with Blake Snell remaining on the open market up until this week. And the Yankees were reportedly in talks with the pitcher’s reps before he signed with the Giants.
On Monday, New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman wrote more about the Yankees’ attempts to sign Snell and the two key factors for why the organization “never got close on a deal.” The first was the fact that the wealthy franchise didn’t just throw big money offers at agent Scott Boras and instead tried “several avenues to try to blunt the 110 percent” tax cost they would be hit with by going over the fourth threshold above $297 million.
- Blake Snell contract: 2-years, $62 million ($17 million signing bonus)
Along with that, Heyman claimed, “a couple ex-teammates surmised that [Snell] might have preferred to stay on the West Coast, and the Yankees wonder if that was a possibility, as well.” The 31-year-old is a native of Seattle.
Snell will now get to stay not only in the NL West but in California following three seasons as the San Diego Padres top pitcher. His deal with the Giants gives him a player option next season.
