The New York Yankees have "not re-engaged talks" with star free agent Blake Snell, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Sunday morning.
Instead, Nightengale wrote in his weekly column, New York has expressed interest in signing starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen instead.
The Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants have emerged as the top contenders to sign Snell with Opening Day less than two weeks out. Per Nightengale, Snell is currently looking to ink a two-year, $66 million contract that includes an opt-out after 2024.
New York, apparently unwilling to join the bidding at that price point, will look to round out their rotation with Lorenzen instead. Either way, the Yankees are likely to add another reliable starting pitcher with reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole out at least a month.
The White Sox are another team that is interested in Lorenzen, per a recent report from The Athletic's Rosenthal. The San Diego Padres were also linked to Lorenzen in February, a few weeks after he and fellow free agent Noah Syndergaard worked out in front of 16 MLB teams.
Last week, Rosenthal reported that Lorenzen was looking for a two-year deal worth somewhere in the ballpark of $20 million in guaranteed money.
The 32-year-old Lorenzen has spent the majority of his career as a relief pitcher after debuting as a starter for the Cincinnati Reds in 2015. He spent the following six seasons coming out of Cincinnati's bullpen.
Lorenzen started 18 games for the Los Angeles Angels in 2022, then another 18 for the Detroit Tigers in 2023. He got sent to the Philadelphia Phillies at last summer's trade deadline, starting another seven games down the stretch and throwing a no-hitter on Aug. 9.
For his career, Lorenzen is 40-38 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.325 WHIP and 9.4 WAR. He is 17-15 with a 4.20 ERA, 1.237 WHIP and 3.0 WAR over the last two seasons, and he made his first career All-Star appearance in 2023.
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