Star pitcher Blake Snell has a stipulation in his free agency negotiations that decreases the likelihood of him joining the New York Yankees this offseason.
According to MLB Insider Buster Olney on the Willard and Dibs podcast, the current NL Cy Young award holder has a preference for staying in a certain region for the 2024 season: Southern California. This preference begs the question: why is Snell inclined to stay in this area?
Snell’s stellar performance in the 2023 MLB season with the San Diego Padres adds weight to his desire to remain in the region.
Having spent the last three years with the Padres and five years prior with the Tampa Bay Rays, Snell has likely grown accustomed to the favorable weather conditions of both locales. However, his decision isn’t solely based on lifestyle outside of baseball.
Rumors heavily link both the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Angels as potential suitors for the former All-Star pitcher.
The question remains: Can the Yankees sway Snell’s decision and secure his signature this offseason or during spring?
Adding to the complexity of negotiations is Snell’s agent, Scott Boras, who has been playing hardball in discussions for weeks. Boras is aiming for a top-dollar contract for his client, taking into account team situations that warrant such a hefty price tag.
Both Los Angeles teams boast considerable market influence in baseball. The Dodgers, in particular, have shown willingness to spend generously on notable players like two-time NL MVP Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
With a remarkable 2.25 ERA and 234 strikeouts in the previous season, Snell could become the next target for these teams.
Reports suggest that the Yankees made an offer to Snell earlier in the offseason, rumored to be in the ballpark of $150 million. If New York intends to secure a formidable pitching rotation, possibly featuring two Cy Young award winners, they might need to offer a higher salary to sway Snell from his preference for Southern California and satisfy Boras’ demands.