AL East Rival Blue Jays Could Sign Yankees Free Agent Target

An American League East rival is showing interest in a New York Yankees free-agent target.

Throughout free agency, the New York Yankees have shown interest in former Cy Young winner Blake Snell. The left-handed pitcher had one of the better seasons of his career in 2023 and has a chance to help the Yankees win a World Series.

Despite signing Marcus Stroman, there are rumors that confirm New York's interest in signing Snell. The team clearly needed help on the mound last season and with this possibly being their best chance to win a World Series, it's now or never.

Other clubs have shown interest in adding the 31-year-old, including an American League East rival. According to Bob Nightengale, the Toronto Blue Jays have been "quietly monitoring" his free agency. The Blue Jays, similar to the Yankees, have shown interest in many of the top free agents on the market this offseason.

While not signing Snell wouldn't be the end of the world if Carlos Rodon returns to the pitcher he was when New York signed him, losing out to Toronto could hurt. If there's one place the Yankees don't want him to sign, the Blue Jays are right up there on that list.

In the 2023 season, Snell won his second Cy Young after winning the award in 2018, too. He posted an ERA+ of 182, an ERA of 2.25, and struck out 234 hitters in 180 innings pitched. His 99 walks were certainly a concern and could be most of the reason why he hasn't signed, but everything else was elite. 

New York has a tough decision to make and it doesn't get any easier now that a rival is showing interest in his services.