The New York Yankees face pressing questions about their pitching rotation heading into next season, with significant concerns looming beyond ace Gerrit Cole. While Cole remains the undisputed leader, the rest of the rotation is riddled with uncertainty that could jeopardize the team’s postseason hopes.

Carlos Rodon, expected to solidify the No. 2 spot after signing a lucrative deal before the 2023 season, has yet to perform at the level his contract demands. Marcus Stroman’s 2024 campaign saw a steep decline after a strong start, culminating in his relegation to the bullpen. Nestor Cortes continues to struggle with persistent injury issues, casting doubt on his reliability. Meanwhile, young pitchers Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt are still in the developmental phase, showing flashes of promise but lacking consistency at the major league level.

Given the current state of the rotation, the Yankees may benefit from acquiring a proven No. 2 starter, which would allow Rodón to move into a less pressurized role as the third starter. One name that stands out in free agency is Blake Snell, a former Cy Young Award winner and a pitcher the Yankees have pursued in the past.

The Yankees’ history with Snell adds an intriguing layer to this potential pursuit. The team reportedly offered him $150 million during a previous free agency period, an offer he declined before signing a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. Snell has since opted out of that contract, entering the 2024 offseason as one of the most coveted arms on the market.

A renewed pursuit of Snell could address the Yankees’ pitching depth and bolster their rotation, but it would also come with significant financial and strategic considerations. Evaluating whether Snell’s recent performance and long-term potential align with the Yankees’ goals will be crucial as the team looks to strengthen its staff for the upcoming season.

Is Blake Snell worth the investment for the Yankees?

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Blake Snell’s impressive resume positions him as a prime target for the Yankees, offering the kind of experience and talent their rotation desperately needs. Over nine major league seasons, the two-time Cy Young Award winner has proven himself as both a regular-season ace and a dependable postseason performer, with three playoff campaigns under his belt.

Snell’s 2024 season underscored his resilience and ability to dominate at the highest level. Despite a rocky start caused by a delayed signing—resulting in a 0-3 record with a 6.31 ERA through his first eight starts—he executed a remarkable turnaround. Over his final 12 starts, Snell delivered a flawless 5-0 record with a dazzling 1.45 ERA, capped by a no-hitter, a career milestone.

This resurgence built on his Cy Young-winning 2023 season with the San Diego Padres, where he led the league with a 2.25 ERA and finished with a 14-9 record. Snell’s effectiveness stems from a refined four-pitch arsenal that keeps hitters off balance. Key to his success are a four-seam fastball that limited batters to a .200 average and a devastating curveball, which held opponents to a .111 batting average and a .183 slugging percentage

Snell’s postseason pedigree further enhances his appeal, boasting a career 3.33 ERA over 12 appearances (10 starts). His standout moment came in the 2020 World Series with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he flirted with a no-hitter before a controversial early removal in Game 6—a decision that remains a point of debate in baseball circles.

For the Yankees, Snell’s ability to shine under pressure and adapt to challenges makes him a potential cornerstone for their rotation as they aim to solidify their pitching depth heading into 2025.

A cause of concern

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Blake Snell’s potential fit with the Yankees comes with notable concerns that the organization must weigh carefully before pursuing the two-time Cy Young winner. Snell’s career has been defined by flashes of brilliance offset by periods of inconsistency. His standout seasons in 2018 and 2023 contrast sharply with stretches of middling performance, a trend reinforced by his 2024 campaign. While he delivered a dominant second half, his early struggles—a 6.31 ERA through eight starts—underscore the volatility that has marked his career.

One key issue is Snell’s limited innings workload. Across nine seasons, he has surpassed 130 innings pitched just twice, both during his Cy Young-winning years. For a Yankees rotation already challenged by durability and depth concerns, adding another starter who typically works only 5–6 innings could place additional pressure on an overtaxed bullpen, despite Snell’s elite potential.

Financial constraints further complicate a potential signing. The Yankees have previously shown interest in Snell despite significant investments in Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón. However, with the team now prioritizing a long-term deal for free agent Juan Soto, who could command a record-setting contract, balancing both acquisitions under the payroll cap becomes a formidable challenge.

Age and long-term value considerations also present risks. Snell, who will turn 32 in 2025, would join a rotation already leaning on veterans in their 30s. Cole will be 34, and Rodón will also be 32, creating a scenario where the Yankees could allocate roughly $100 million annually to three aging pitchers. While Snell’s advancing age might reduce his asking price compared to earlier contract discussions, it raises legitimate concerns about durability and sustained performance as he enters the later stages of his career.

The Yankees must carefully evaluate whether Snell’s high upside outweighs these challenges as they strategize for the upcoming season.

The Yankees’ options

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The Yankees face a delicate balancing act in determining whether to pursue free agent Blake Snell, with financial considerations looming large amid their broader roster-building strategy. While Snell’s postseason pedigree and Cy Young-caliber talent would undoubtedly bolster their rotation, the team’s potential allocation of significant resources toward re-signing Juan Soto complicates the financial equation.

A creative solution might lie in structuring a deal with Snell that includes multiple opt-out clauses, offering flexibility for both the player and the team. However, a review of the Yankees’ postseason performance suggests that starting pitching, while crucial, was not their primary weakness during their World Series run. This raises questions about whether a high-cost investment in the rotation should take precedence over other areas of need.

The most practical approach for the Yankees may hinge on Soto’s free agency outcome. If Soto signs with another team, the financial flexibility gained could make pursuing Snell a more justifiable move. Such a sequential strategy would allow the Yankees to prioritize their spending, ensuring that their most urgent needs are addressed without compromising fiscal responsibility.