FILE - New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, in New York. Gerrit Cole was a unanimous winner of his first American League Cy Young Award on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 and Blake Snell took the NL honor in becoming the seventh hurler to earn baseball’s top pitching prize in both leagues.(AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Fans of the Yankees would like to see starting pitcher Blake Snell join Gerrit Cole at the top of the rotation.
Both are reigning Cy Young winners, operating on the left and right sides. Snell has extensive experience pitching in the AL East, having previously played for the Tampa Bay Rays. In theory, a Cole-Snell combo would be among the greatest in MLB, not just the American League.
Most recently, Bob Nightengale stated that the Yankees have been the lone team to offer Snell a contract. According to reports, it is significantly lower than the figures Snell is asking for.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post can substantiate this report to some extent. In a journal written this Sunday, Heyman shared this gem about the pursuit of Snell:
“Though the Yankees made an offer for Blake Snell, part of their hesitation in increasing what Snell’s team considers a “market” proposal appears to be Carlos Rodon’s tough first year, for which he received $162 million. Snell’s camp claims he distinguishes himself by winning two Cy Young awards, having no previous Tommy Johns, more recent innings (486 2/3 since 2020), and an even greater platform year.
Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge suggested signing Snell early, but the sides are too far apart for advice to be effective.
Some people believe Judge and Snell are close friends. It’s only natural for All-Star players to desire to link up with other impact athletes.
In this situation, the Yankees may find it difficult to overcome the money already invested in other arms, namely Carlos Rodon. Snell may accept a discount to play with a contender. He could potentially accept a shorter contract with a higher AAV (as players have done previously with the Dodgers).
At this point, it’s anyone’s guess as to where the talented left-handed pitcher will end up.
READ MORE……
Could the Mets steal another pitcher from the Yankees?
The New York Mets may be repeating the same play this offseason.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Sunday that the Mets are looking for lefty relievers in free agency. According to Heyman, Wandy Peralta is one of the relievers the Mets are looking for.
The 32-year-old Peralta has spent the previous three seasons with the rival New York Yankees. Over that time, he had an impressive 2.82 ERA and was heavily relied on by the Yankees during their ALCS run in 2022.
The Mets have spent the winter bringing in former Yankees. They appointed Carlos Mendoza, an ex-Yankees bench coach, as their new manager before signing a former Yankees All-Star pitcher to a one-year contract. The Mets were also interested in former Yankees fireballer Aroldis Chapman (before he joined with the Pittsburgh Pirates) and even added a starter outfielder for the Yankees last season. Peralta, an eight-year MLB veteran, might be next in line.
New team connected to potential Dylan Cease trade
Dylan Cease is in the dugout
Apr 5, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA: Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) sits in the dugout before the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton/USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox are still open to trading starting pitcher Dylan Cease, and a new team is allegedly in the market for him.
The Seattle Mariners have begun trade talks with Cease, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Chicago’s asking price remains high, and the Mariners would likely have to give up one of their top prospects, Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo, to make a deal.
The Mariners may be the White Sox’s last chance to deal Cease before the start of the season. If no deal is reached, the White Sox are anticipated to hold Cease for the start of the season and possibly pursue a trade again before the trade deadline.
Cease has been connected to several organizations since the beginning of the summer, most notably the New York Yankees. The White Sox have constantly maintained a high asking price, which appears to have scared off a few clubs, at least for the moment.
Cease is coming off a disappointing season with the White Sox, when he had a 4.58 ERA, but he was the runner-up for the AL Cy Young in 2022.
Guardians reunite with a beloved past fan favorite.
On August 10, 2022, at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Cleveland Guardians players were seen wearing gloves and hats between innings versus the Detroit Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel/USA TODAY Sports
Cookie is making his triumphant comeback to Cleveland.
According to Zack Meisel of The Athletic, the Cleveland Guardians will re-sign pitcher Carlos Carrasco. Carrasco, a right-hander, is returning to Cleveland on a minor-league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training.
Carrasco, at nearly 37 years old, pitched for the Cleveland Indians from 2009 to 2020. He led the AL in wins (18) in 2017 and had three seasons with 200 or more strikeouts in Cleveland. Carrasco was also a popular fan favorite, thanks in part to his courageous struggle with leukemia. He overcame the ailment few months after being diagnosed in 2019 and returned to the mound for Cleveland that year. In 2019, Carrasco was named AL Comeback Player of the Year and received the Roberto Clemente Award for his efforts.
Carrasco has been pitching for the New York Mets since 2021, finishing 3-8 with a 6.80 ERA in 20 starts last season. At this point, he is probably more of a positive vibes signing than anything else. However, Carrasco was contemporaries with the Guardians’ new manager, which could help.
