Yankees' pursuit of Cy Young winner up in air after Marcus Stroman signing

Blake Snell

The New York Yankees made a significant move on Thursday, agreeing to a two-year, $37 million deal with free agent starting pitcher Marcus Stroman. However, does the addition of the two-time All-Star take them out of the sweepstakes for NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell?

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, most likely.

Shortly after the announcement of the agreement with Stroman, Nightengale reported that the Yankees essentially settled for Stroman when unable to find common ground with Snell.

“The Yankees declined to meet the asking price for Blake Snell and pivoted to Marcus Stroman after meeting with him this week in Tampa,” Nightengale posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Jack Curry of the YES Network doubled down on that thought, believing the Yankees wouldn’t budge on Snell’s contract demands, reportedly as high as $200 million for seven years.

While that might sound like bad news for the Yankees’ pursuit of Snell, Joel Sherman of the New York Post sees the situation a little differently.

Not only does he believe the Yankees can still add pieces through signings or trades, but he doesn’t think adding Stroman takes them out of the running for Snell or anyone else.

“I do not think this precludes the Yankees from still trying to trade for [Dylan] Cease or sign another free agent like Snell if prices fall,” Sherman wrote. “NYY felt they had to get on the board with another vet starter and did so with Stroman.”

The Yankees have made an offer to Snell, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, but it’s unclear if it’s the team’s final offer or if there’s wiggle room there. The only way that scenario seemingly plays out is if the two sides can agree on a deal worth far less money. However, after the Stroman’s signing, that seems less and less likely.

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