The New York Yankees continue their high-stakes dance with two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. Despite whispers of stalled negotiations, revered insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post confirms that the two camps remain locked in intense discussions. This relentless pursuit underscores the tantalizing possibility of Snell joining the Yankees’ formidable rotation, a move that could cement their status as World Series favorites. But the path to a deal remains strewn with obstacles.

Snell’s hefty price tag would trigger a massive luxury tax, potentially more than doubling his salary for the Yankees. This financial burden weighs heavily on the minds of the Yankee brass. Can they find a creative solution that satisfies both Blake Snell’s agent, the notoriously innovative Scott Boras, and New York’s budget concerns?

“Yankees still have a Blake Snell chance” but..

As reported by the New York Post, talks between free-agent pitcher Blake Snell’s representatives and the New York Yankees are ongoing, with discussions happening as recently as Monday. However, these conversations haven’t yielded any significant progress towards a deal yet.

Earlier, they reportedly offered the ace a 5-year deal, potentially extending to 6 years at around $28 million annually, but Snell’s camp balked. This financial burden with the huge valuation gap is a major sticking point in the negotiations, and the team has options to explore.

The Yankees are rumored to be open to creative contract structures. However, Snell’s agent, Scott Boras, is known for his innovative deal-making. Boras’ recent proposal for a shorter contract with higher annual salaries and opt-outs is unlikely to appeal to the Yankees, who are wary of a further escalating luxury tax bill and the risk of losing draft picks due to player opt-outs. Consequently, Hal Steinbrenner, unlike his father, is known for his calculated, measured approach when it comes to financial constraints.

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The current Pinstriped King is publicly acknowledging the need to bolster pitching depth, but he isn’t committing to a mega-signing. “Having seen our starting rotation, I’m pretty comfortable with them,” Steinbrenner told The New York Post. “Depth is something of a concern. But we have [Luis] Gil. We have [Will] Warren. You’re going to see him at some point. Both of them probably,” he added.

On the contrary, the team’s captain Aaron Judge expressed his optimism about the team potentially making another acquisition. “I definitely think there might be another move on the way,” Judge said then. However, he didn’t disclose any details about the specific player or if he has any private knowledge about potential signings. “But you never know. We’ll see,” he added.

Read More: Reputed Insider Rules Yankees Out on Blake Snell, Cost Doubles Due to Payroll Problems

This might be a negotiation tactic or a genuine assessment of in-house options. Is this a waiting game devised to drive down Snell’s price and protect their pockets?

Will They or Won’t They?

Heyman states that several other teams could be potential suitors for Blake Snell, including the Los Angeles Angels, the Boston Red Sox, the San Francisco Giants, and even the Philadelphia Phillies. However, their willingness to enter a bidding war with the Yankees is questionable. This dynamic could potentially work to New York’s advantage should they decide to make a final push for the star pitcher.

Read More: Yankees Spin Carlos Rodon’s Revamp as PR Move to Quell Blake Snell Desperation and Lower Price?

Both the Yankees and Snell appear intent on exploring every avenue to make a deal happen. While the hurdles remain substantial, ongoing negotiations suggest that the possibility of this ace donning the iconic pinstripes is far from dead. It’s a high-stakes game with the potential to transform the balance of power in the American League.