The Yankees have had their eyes on former starter Jordan Montgomery for most of the winter, and are now also considering National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. If they have a choice, they don't have a choice.
Aim for Snell. Let's have fun.
But here's the first important question. Our team is being used this winter, but can they get a decent shot against either pitcher?
If the Yankees lose confidence after Yoshinobu Yamamoto's disappointment, can you blame them? Almost to the end, they took no chances. Yamamoto showed during negotiations that he had a strong interest in Yankees legend. But as it turns out, he could just be a history buff.
In the end, of course, the coveted Yamamoto joins partner and superstar Shohei Ohtani, opting to make Los Angeles' super team even more super than the early rumors of a West Coast orientation. was realized. Who's to say Montgomery or Snell might not prefer going elsewhere? They clearly have a choice.
In any case, Montgomery may actually be tougher. A return to Texas, where he played a key role in the Rangers' first World Series victory, is becoming more likely, but there are rumors that a local television deal with the team could be on the way. It's easy to imagine that he wants that.
But while some wonder if Snell, a Seattle native, would want to remain in the West, he's most likely with the Angels, who are at least a year or two away, and have to contend with the Dodgers. Maybe it's the Giants. And who's to say he'd rather take the West than win?
“Snell has won Cy Young Awards on both the East and West Coast and in both leagues. He is open to all clubs and is looking for a winning and competitive environment,” said agent Scott Boras. He answered whether the Yankees have a chance.
Similarly, Yamamoto's trainers denied earlier rumors of Left Bank orientation. We don't know for sure, as the Dodgers also made the highest offer ($325 million, including a $50 million signing bonus), but Yamamoto's statements at the press conference suggest he is leaning east. There was nothing to do.
Of course, no one shows their cards. However, Snell pitched well in the AL East before being traded to San Diego.
Regardless, if the Yankees want to win this winter, they need to take a chance. Montgomery's market is much more solid than you might think — Philadelphia is another player, and his Harvard-trained wife is reportedly doing a residency at Beth Israel Hospital. Same goes for Boston, who is doing the same thing — and let's be honest, Snell is the better pitcher.
Admittedly, the Yankees have questions about Snell's off-season and on-season and even staying power in games. But he's probably the most talented lefty in the game. And with the Juan Soto trade, the Yankees need a pitcher.
Snell gives them the opportunity to acquire arguably the best one-two pitching combo in baseball. Gerrit Cole, who is an excellent judge of talent, is reportedly all for it.
The worst that could happen is that he turns them down. If that happens, it will just be another winter of rejection for both teams here in the world's greatest city.
First up was Craig Counsell, who wanted to set a new management salary standard and appeared to be the top candidate to come to the Mets since Counsell's previous boss was the Mets' new manager. . But in the end, Counsell loved New York so much that he preferred to go to his longtime Brewers team's hated rivals, 90 miles down Interstate 94, and to his own hometown of Wisconsin. He risked being hated in Whitefish Bay, state.
And then there was Yamamoto, the center of attention for both teams in the Big Apple. The Mets' entire winter (beyond Counsell) was built around Yamamoto, perhaps the most widely beloved star free agent pitcher of all time.
And despite widespread interest across the board and early statements that he preferred the West Coast, the Yankees seemed oddly certain. They saved his number 18 and proudly presented it to him. You can even imagine them emptying locker space.
Yamamoto was loved since he was young, but he has never pitched in the majors. Snell is a more proven product and doesn't cost as much as $375 million, including Yamamoto's submission fee.
Boras likes to highlight his similarities to Randy Johnson in his 28-30 seasons (in fact, Snell held opposing batters to a slightly lower batting average of .201 to .207 and had a strikeout rate of 31.5 to .207). (He recorded a high number of 28.3). He's not exactly a little unit, but when he's out, he's one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. Snell led the majors in opponent OPS at .579, while Cole was second at .581.
If the Yankees sign Snell, they will become the first team to have both previous Cy Young Award winners since the 1990 Royals had 1989 winner Bret Saberhagen and Mark Davis. The offseason combination of Soto and Snell may not surpass the Dodgers' all-time winter record, but it will definitely make the Yankees a favorite to win the American League title. This is not the time to get cold feet. Now it's time to do it.
