Yankees Rumors: Blake Snell Mulling NYY Contract Offer amid Giants, Angels Buzz

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVFebruary 19, 2024

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The New York Yankees have offered a contract to starting pitcher Blake Snell, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

Feinsand added the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants “remain possibilities” for the National League Cy Young recipient.

Andy Martino of SNY reported the general sense had been that Snell and the Yankees weren’t making a lot of progress at the negotiating table:

Andy Martino @martinonycAs of yesterday, there wasn’t a sense at Yankees camp that the team was close to adding Blake Snell. A few people in the know said there hadn’t been momentum lately. No one is saying it’s impossible, but that was the tone yesterday

The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty painted a similar picture:

Brendan Kuty 🧟‍♂️ @BrendanKutyNJAdditionally, from what I’ve been told, there hasn’t been a counteroffer from Boras to the Yankees re: Blake Snell, who has a no opt-outs offer from NYY. Over the winter, he told people w/ the Yankees that he’d like to be a Yankee. Anyone’s guess as to where he lands. https://t.co/2LpGU4oAvV

The Bronx Bombers making a formal offer may not mean much because it may not necessarily be a contract that’s appealing for Snell and his representatives.

Feinsand’s report could also reflect a change in either side’s resolve. Perhaps the Yankees were willing to improve whatever terms they had discussed with the southpaw, or he may have lowered his demand as he continues to sit unsigned as players are reporting to camp.

The absence of a deal for Snell is perplexing since he’s coming off such a strong season. He In 32 appearances, he went 14-9 with an MLB-best 2.25 and 182 ERA+, per Baseball Reference.

Teams may still have some reservations about the 2018 All-Star, though. His 99 walks allowed were also the most by any pitcher, and he didn’t get off to a great start. Through May, he had a 5.04 ERA and allowed a .343 on-base percentage to opposing hitters.

As a long-term bet, Snell is also a little risky since his performance has varied from year to year. After winning his first Cy Young with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018, his ERA climbed from 1.89 to 4.29 in 2019.

If he’s not getting the full dollar value he imagined, signing a one- or two-year contract might be Snell’s best play to secure a massive payday.