The New York Yankees are the only team to make an official offer to free agent pitcher Blake Snell this offseason. He reportedly declined the first offer of six years and $150 million. Hello? Red Sox? Anybody home?
Now, there's reportedly another offer on the table from the Yankees to Snell. Considering Snell was looking for either a longer deal or one with a $30 million (or more) AAV, the reported offer has to be big to even be considered by the pitcher and his agent, Scott Boras.
It isn't certain what the Yankees' offer is now, but they're still not the only team left in the race for Snell. MLB insider Mark Feinsand reports that the Giants and Angels are still in on the lefty — a deal with New York is far from done.
But that isn't the point.
Despite finishing the season with a winning record, Yankee fans were furious with the team's 82-80 record, which maybe says more about them than anything. But the front office has been listening to fans' complaints and desires.
The Yankees reportedly making another offer to Blake Snell is Red Sox Nation's worst nightmare
New York fans voiced their displeasure with the team and ownership went out and made considerable changes this offseason. They acquired Alex Verdugo from the Red Sox to give them versatile experience in the outfield. They traded for Juan Soto to place one of the best bats in the league in the order next to another top performer in Aaron Judge. They signed Marcus Stroman, and although many Yankee fans disapprove of him, the price for which they secured him is an undeniable bargain.
Now, the Yankees could be making headway on signing one of the most expensive free agents of the offseason and arguably the best pitcher on the market, along with all the other additions they made.
The Yankees reportedly still have "serious interest" in Blake Snell. #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/wAjwxpwtCw
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 19, 2024
Meanwhile, the Red Sox organization is sitting on its hands, waiting for success to somehow fall into their lap without spending the money or putting in the work to earn it.
New York is going all-in to be the best team in the American League East — some could argue they're going "full throttle." The words sound familiar, but also like a distant memory. It's like the Yankees' front office heard Tom Werner's promise and decided to steal his thunder.
The Yankees signing Snell would be the ultimate punch in the face to Red Sox fans who were promised more than they got — the first punch that hasn't come directly from ownership's hand. Had Boston signed Jordan Montgomery or Stroman or anyone it had any interest in, New York's offseason wouldn't feel so utterly depressing to Bostonian onlookers.
After being the dominant force in the greatest rivalry in sports for almost 20 years, it feels like the Red Sox are back to yielding to the Yankees, like the cursed 86 years before.