The New York Yankees secured Marcus Stroman as their latest starting pitcher, making a significant move in the offseason. However, it appears they initially had their sights set on an even more substantial target before landing the former Cubs All-Star.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Yankees engaged in discussions with Padres’ free agent Blake Snell. Still, they opted not to meet Snell’s asking price and ultimately shifted their focus to Stroman.
Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner in 2023, boasted impressive stats with a 2.25 ERA and a 14-9 record for the Padres. Regarded as one of the top free-agent pitchers alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Aaron Nola, Snell represented a higher tier compared to Stroman. Stroman, with his age, an uncertain end to the 2023 season, and a history of controversy, carries some inherent risk.
The Yankees declined to meet the asking price for Blake Snell and pivoted to Marcus Stroman after meeting with him this week in Tampa. The 2-year deal will be official when Stroman completes his physical.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 12, 2024
The Yankees’ decision to pass on Snell raises questions about potential regrets or whether they made the right call, considering Stroman’s profile. Snell’s noted control issues add an element of uncertainty, and only time will reveal the wisdom behind the Yankees’ choices.
As of now, the Yankees missed out on both Yamamoto and Snell, failing to strike deals with pitchers like Jordan Montgomery and Dylan Cease, ultimately settling for a third-tier option. This development may not be the final chapter in the Yankees’ pursuit of Snell, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The deal is pending a physical. I do not think this precludes the Yankees from still trying to trade for Cease or sign another FA like Snell if prices fall. NYY felt they had to get on the board with another vet starter and did so with Stroman https://t.co/dgD3vV4AnY
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 12, 2024
Opting for Stroman over Snell is one scenario, but the possibility of acquiring both Snell (or Cease) and Stroman remains open. Such a move would undoubtedly earn applause from Yankees fans. Looking at the Dodgers’ successful offseason, the Yankees might aspire to have their cake and eat it too in their pursuit of pitching excellence.