Blake Snell Key to Yankees’ World Series Hopes? Bronx Buzz Grows Despite Closed Talks

While all signs point towards this deal not being likely, the romantics still want to see it. After all, someone once said, “How can you not be romantic about baseball?” So once again, the story is the same, Blake Snell and his links with the New York Yankees. But for a second, look past the payroll issues and the huge gap between their valuation. Think about how good Snell would look standing on the mound in the Yankee Stadium wearing the pinstripes. 

More importantly, think about just how amazing the Bombers lineup would be. Gerrit Cole, Blake Snell, Marcus Stroman, and Carlos Rodon, among others. That’s the kind of rotation that can win championships. However, the suitability of Snell doesn’t end just there.

The high suitability of Blake Snell and the New York Yankees 

The Yankees’ last season was filled with ups and downs. The pitching staff felt it more than anyone else. Rodon and Nestor Cortes Jr. were troubled with injuries throughout the season. Then there was Clarke Schmidt, who started the season horrifically but finished really strongly. It was a classic tale of two halves for Schmidt. Something similar happened with Marcus Stroman in 2023 when he was a Cub. It’s this phenomenon that makes Snell such an obvious choice. 

While they’ve started Spring Training in a relatively fit state, can the Yankees depend on them? As Evan Rodriguez of The Daily Campus said, depending on them, “is a massive gamble, especially for a team that is incredibly thin for pitching depth.” Also, can the Pinstripes make such a gamble when they have just one confirmed season of Juan Soto with them?

This is where the addition of Snell or someone like him becomes all the more necessary. Leaving aside their 5 starters, the Yankees bullpen lacks anyone who can cover in case of injuries. Snell won the Cy Young award and led the league with a 2.25 ERA. He’d be an immediate starter and, more importantly, a big help in the Yankees’ pursuit of the elusive World Series.

Read more: New York Yankees’ Blake Snell Pursuit Sees Negative Update, Scott Boras’ Valuation Halts Talks

Snell’s quality and ability to generate high strikeouts are unparalleled. However, like every coin has two sides, Snell too has the other side that needs to be studied.

Could the Yankee Stadium prove too much for Snellzilla?

One thing that has always been put against Blake Snell is his tendency to give away too many walks. But the ace has continuously called it an essential weapon in his arsenal. Now despite adjustments, the Yankee Stadium remains a risky ballpark for high-walking pitchers like Snell. It becomes a little worrisome when one looks at the record of Snell versus that of Yankees. 

In 18 starts, Snell has the record of 4-6 against the Pinstripes. His ERA is 4.31, higher than his career average of 3.20. Provided many of these games happened in Tampa Bay Rays, still, that’s not an impressive record. So one wonders if a deal happens, which Snell will enter the Yankee Stadium.

Read more: New York Yankees’ Ace Gerrit Cole Forms Surprise Spring Training Connection, 24YO Impresses As Rookie Season Nears