Yankees Rumors: NYY Prefer Dylan Cease Trade Over Blake Snell Free-Agent Contract

The New York Yankees would rather bolster their 2024 rotation with Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease than free agent Blake Snell, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

But adding Cease would mean agreeing to a trade, and negotiations with the White Sox are currently "at a standstill," Nightengale reported.

The White Sox want Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones in exchange for Cease, and New York wants to keep him, according to Nightengale.

The Yankees will not consider a short-term deal or a deal with opt-outs for Snell, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, because of potential luxury tax problems, Nightengale added.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported in January that the Yankees had offered Snell a six-year, $150 million deal, but that Snell turned it down because he wanted "either a higher average annual value— a deal worth at least $30 million per year— or a longer contract."

The Yankees are already over the highest competitive balance tax (CBT) threshold of $297 million, so each dollar spent on Snell's contract would be taxed at 110 percent. Snell's preferred AAV would cost the team at least $63 million in 2024.

That's not to mention that because the San Diego Padres offered Snell a qualifying offer, the Yankees would lose second- and fifth-round 2025 picks alongside the signing.

Because of those additional costs, the team says "they will not consider a short-term deal or early opt-outs with Snell," according to Nightengale.

Cease's $8 million contract is a more affordable deal for the Yankees, but they could be competing with other bidders in order to finalize a trade with the White Sox. Nightengale reported earlier this month that the Baltimore Orioles have also made an offer for the right-hander.

According to Nightengale's earlier report, the White Sox are looking for a package similar to what the Milwaukee Brewers got from the Baltimore Orioles for Corbin Burnes.

In the Burnes trade, the Brewers received shortstop Joey Ortiz, the Orioles' No. 6 ranked prospect at the time; left-hander DL Hall, who will compete for a spot in the Milwaukee starting rotation; and the No. 34 pick of the 2024 draft.

If a comparable trade in New York must involve Jones, the Yankees might not be able to settle on a deal. The team's No. 2-ranked prospect is considered by the Yankees as "Jones as a long-term center fielder with Gold Glove upside," according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner.