Yankees' search for pitching in free agency feels like an act after Blake Snell deal

There's definitely a chance the New York Yankees are interested in one of the top remaining starting pitching free agents if they can't re-sign Juan Soto. But if they bring him back, there's almost no chance they drop another $150-$200 million on another marquee name for their rotation.

Just look at how the Blake Snell situation went down. The Yankees reportedly offered him a $150 million contract last offseason, Snell said no, and New York pivoted to Marcus Stroman. Did they even see if Snell would do the same deal he did with the San Francisco Giants? We'll never know.

But they paid the price blowing that money on Stroman, who only contributed meaningfully from April-June. He didn't participate in the playoffs. He's making $18 million per year. Snell wanted around $30 million. This time around, they hosted a Zoom call with Snell, and days later he was a Los Angeles Dodger for five years and $182 million.

For the second time in a row, it just felt like a lackadaisical attempt to sign a high-profile name. The Yankees are always "doing their due diligence," but more times than not it feels minimal and they often fall short because they want things done on their terms. And that's just not how it works anymore.

According to reports, the Yankees are still interested in Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, both of whom are expected to be pricier than Snell. And we're supposed to be believe the Yankees are going to seriously pursue either of them? Why?

Yankees Rumors: Corbin Burnes, Max Fried among targets after Blake Snell-Dodgers deal

The Yankees will be forced to do business with Scott Boras this offseason, whether it's for Soto, Fried or Burnes. And they already feel a certain way after that six-year, $162 million contract for Carlos Rodón (another Boras client) a couple offseasons ago, so that doesn't help. That's why fans should be hesitant about any links to star free agents unless there are noticeable overtures.

Every offseason, the Yankees contact and "touch base" with the top free agent names, simply because it would be irresponsible and embarrassing not to. But it's nothing more than an charade. When reports progress as they have with Soto, then that's when there's an indication the interest and pursuit is real.

A Zoom call with Snell? That's nothing. Contacting Burnes and Fried? That's nothing. Fans simply cannot draw any conclusions with the Yankees and big-name free agents this offseason until the Soto situation is settled.

We've mentioned this previously, but the Yankees' activity in free agency over the last decade has been almost non-existent when it comes to the most impactful players. Gerrit Cole signed before the 2020 campaign and Rodón signed before the 2023 campaign. That's been it.

There's either a real disconnect with players wanting to come to New York, or the Yankees don't treat free agency as a real avenue for them to take advantage of the rest of the league, so there's no reason to buy stock in any of the preliminary reporting.