The Yankees were able to acquire Dominican star Juan Jose Soto in a trade with the Padres earlier in the offseason, adding the left-handed hitter they needed to a lineup loaded with righties. But rotation remains an area they were unable to address over the winter.
It was reported that New York was making a bid for Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but fell through on an agreement for the pitcher with the Dodgers. MLB Network analyst John Heyman wrote in the New York Post that the Yankees made a “preliminary offer” for Blake Snell. Details are unknown, but Heyman adds that there is still an “important difference” between the two sides.
If Snell joins the Bombers, the 2023 National League Cy Young winner will join Gerrit Cole in the rotation, who just won the same award in the Young Circuit. Cole “agrees” to bring in Snell, according to Heyman.
Although there has been some speculation that the pitcher might choose to sign with a West Coast team, given his roots in Seattle, Heyman wrote that the Yankees believe the left-hander wants to play in New York.
The Giants and Angels could be the Yankees' main contenders in trying to acquire Snell, while the Phillies have also shown some interest.