The New York Yankees have opted to retract their offer for coveted free-agent pitcher Blake Snell, signaling a shift in their pursuit of the left-handed ace.
The Yankees had extended an offer to Snell worth $150 million over six years. However, Snell’s camp indicated a desire for a more lucrative deal, seeking $270 million over nine years.
The Yankees offered $150 million last month to Blake Snell but pulled their offer and declined to re-enter the sweepstakes on Sunday
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 19, 2024
Speculation surrounding Snell’s potential move to the Yankees intensified after he and current Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole were spotted together at a Baseball Writers banquet in Manhattan.
While the duo share the same agent as Scott Boras, their proximity fueled rumors among eager New York fans.
Adding fuel to the fire, Cole made a cryptic comment regarding his interaction with Snell at the event, stating, “I found it particularly interesting that I was sitting next to Blake all night,” as reported by NJ.com.
According to sources cited by Klapisch, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has signaled a shift in focus away from Snell’s acquisition.
Snell, a 31-year-old southpaw, is coming off an impressive season in 2023, during which he secured his second Cy Young Award with a stellar 2.25 ERA.
Despite concerns over his walk rate, Snell’s ability to navigate challenging situations on the mound has been evident throughout his career, highlighted by his 180 innings pitched and 32 starts in the previous season.
With Spring Training on the horizon, Snell’s decision regarding his next destination looms large.
