Currently, Blake Snell is unrestricted. The most recent information and rumours pertaining to the left-handed starting pitcher are monitored by MLB.com.
Feb. 18: According to a report, the Yankees are still “seriously interested” in Snell.
According to a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Yankees still have “serious interest” in the free-agent lefty, even though they moved on to Marcus Stroman after failing to reach a deal with Snell.
The Yanks are reportedly waiting to see if Snell will lower his asking price for a long-term contract or if he will be more receptive to a shorter-term agreement with a higher average annual value (in the $35 million range).
MLB Network source Jon Heyman wrote for the New York Post on February 1 that the Yankees were willing to pay more than Carlos Rodón’s six-year, $162 million contract in order to sign Snell, despite the reports that the team offered Snell five years and $150 million before switching their focus to Stroman. That did not, however, bring them up to Snell’s asking price.
It’s possible that Snell and agent Scott Boras will become more accommodating in their demands as Opening Day approaches. In order for the southpaw to have enough time to prepare for the season’s start, he must sign quickly.
Along with Stroman and Rodón, the Yankees’ current rotation includes Gerrit Cole, the winner of the American League Cy Young Award, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt.
If everyone is well and plays to his ability, that bunch has the makings of a formidable starting lineup, but there are also a lot of unanswered questions.
Last season, Stroman finished with an 8.29 ERA over his final 11 games, while Rodón and Cortes combined to make just 26 starts with a 5.92 ERA.
Snell is believed to be the team’s top target, but Heyman hears that owner Arte Moreno hasn’t given the green light to meet the southpaw’s asking price.
With spring camps set to open around the Majors, it’s possible we’ll see Snell’s price tag come down some.
The longer he waits to sign, the less likely it is that he’ll have enough time to get ready for Opening Day. Granted, the Halos aren’t the only team who might show increased interest in Snell if his asking price were to drop.
Heyman has heard that owner Arte Moreno has not given the go-ahead to match the southpaw’s asking price for Snell, who is thought to be the team’s main target.
Spring camps surrounding the Majors are scheduled to begin, so it’s feasible that Snell’s pricing will drop a little.
It is less likely that he will have enough time to prepare for Opening Day the longer he waits to sign. Granted, if Snell’s asking price dropped, other teams might become more interested in him than only the Halos.
Blue Jays “quietly monitoring” Snell on January 14 (report)
Snell’s free agency hasn’t generated much buzz lately, as it seems teams are holding off to see if his asking price will come down.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Blue Jays have been “quietly monitoring” the prized left-hander’s free agency this winter, even though several clubs are still interested in him.
