Report: Yankees Move on from Blake Snell, Set Sights on Top Free Agent Pitcher
After losing in the 2024 World Series, the New York Yankees have turned their full attention to re-signing Juan Soto . However, the team is also reported to be in pursuit of top free-agent pitchers after missing out on Blake Snell .
Last season, the Yankees were looking to add him to their pitching rotation. The team though was unable to agree on terms with him and missed out on him as he joined the San Francisco Giants.
This offseason, Snell once again became available in the free agency market after he optioned out of his two-year deal with the National League team. He was even reported to have staged a Zoom call meeting with the Yankees.
In the end, the Yankees once again lost him. The 31-year-old pitcher snubbed them one more time and agreed to a 5-year, $182 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Yankees are now reported to be in talks with Corbin Burnes and Max Fried. As per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the team staged calls with them as well. These two starting pitchers are said to be part of Plan B for the Yankees if they fail to land Soto in the offseason.
Other free agents, the team could pursue after Snell’s snub could be Jack Flaherty , Walker Buehler, and Roki Sasaki . While the Japanese star is viewed among the top international free agents, there have been reports of Buehler and the Yankees having a “mutual interest” with each other.
Despite Buehler being on the opposite mound during the World Series, there are chances that he could end up with the Bronx Bombers as insider Jon Morosi . The pitcher was not offered a qualifying offer by the Dodgers and thus became a free agent after winning the World Series with them.
Which other free agents could the NY Yankees target in the offseason if they fail to re-sign Juan Soto?
The 2024 MLB free agency is currently being dominated by Juan Soto. After a stellar year with the New York Yankees, he has become the hottest free agent with several teams in the chase for him. However, there are some other top free agents as well who the Yankees could sign if they fail to re-sign Soto.
Four-time MLB All-Star Pete Alonso is available in free agency. The ‘Polar Bear’ rejected the qualifying offer from the New York Mets and became a free agent. If the Yankees fail to bring back Soto, they could use the funds to snatch Alonso.
Another name that has been brought up is Willy Adames . The shortstop had a stand-out year with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024. He managed to hit 32 home runs and had 112 RBI in the regular season for the Brewers. ESPN’s David Schoenfield has predicted the Yankees to offer him a seven-year $189 million deal.
2024 Home Run Derby champion Teoscar Hernandez is also available at the moment. Though he has openly admitted his wish to re-sign with the Dodgers, the Yankees could try and persuade him away from them if Soto does not choose them.
