BREAKING: Yankees Predicted to Sign $398 Million Former Cy Young Winner

The New York Yankees may be setting their sights on signing Cy Young Winner this offseason, despite his struggles in 2024. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer suggested that the Yankees, already with a Cy Young winner in their rotation, could add the 3-time Cy Young awardee to further bolster their pitching staff. While Verlander’s 2024 campaign was disappointing, with a 5-6 record and a 5.48 ERA in 17 starts, the 41-year-old still believes he has more left to offer. His fastball velocity dropped to 93.5 mph, and his contact rate worsened, but Verlander is confident that a rebound is possible.

Rymer predicts the Yankees could sign Verlander to a 1-year, $15 million deal, which would allow them to test his comeback potential while not committing a long-term investment. This move would be low-risk for the Yankees, provided they have other options available should Verlander’s decline continue.

Verlander’s vast experience, including a career that has earned him nearly $400 million, could still provide valuable leadership and depth for the Yankees’ pitching staff. If he returns to form, he could be a key contributor, but the team will likely keep other contingency plans in place as a safeguard against his decline.

What Justin Verlander Could Bring to Yankees

Justin Verlander’s resilience is certainly impressive, having come back from Tommy John surgery to win his third Cy Young award in 2022. His 2011 MVP season remains one of the most remarkable achievements in recent baseball history, and his 2019 Cy Young win further solidified his place as one of the best pitchers of his era. However, at 42 years old, Verlander’s durability and effectiveness are becoming a concern, especially after a lackluster 2024 campaign.

His strikeout rate, a hallmark of his career, has been in decline over the past two seasons, with his 7.4 K/9 in 2024 marking his lowest strikeout rate since 2014. This drop-off, coupled with an increase in walks and home runs allowed per 9 innings, suggests that Verlander may not be the same dominant force he once was. While his 2022 season was elite, there is understandable skepticism about whether he can regain that form, especially at his age.

For the Yankees, a 1-year, $15 million deal would be a low-risk gamble to test whether Verlander can bounce back. However, if the team were to sign him, they would be taking on a significant amount of uncertainty. The reward could be great if Verlander can return to his 2022 level, but there’s a clear risk that his age and declining peripherals may make him less effective in 2025. Verlander’s future with the Yankees would depend on his ability to adjust and overcome the issues that plagued his 2024 season, while the Yankees would need a solid backup plan in place should his decline continue.

Other Starting Pitchers Yankees Could Target in MLB Free Agency

The Yankees’ pursuit of another starting pitcher will likely depend on how the rest of the free-agent market shakes out. While Justin Verlander is certainly a possibility, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer also highlighted Blake Snell, Jack Flaherty, and Roki Sasaki as intriguing options. Each of these pitchers brings a different profile and set of potential benefits to the table.

**Blake Snell**, the 2023 Cy Young winner, would be an attractive option for the Yankees given his ability to dominate hitters with his stuff, though his inconsistent control could be a concern. His upside is undeniable, but the Yankees would have to weigh that against the potential volatility that comes with him.

**Jack Flaherty**, once a promising ace for the St. Louis Cardinals, has faced injury setbacks in recent years, but when healthy, he has the potential to be a strong addition to a rotation. He could be a bounce-back candidate in a new environment, but there’s risk involved.

**Roki Sasaki**, the Japanese sensation, would be a high-profile acquisition, but the Yankees might face significant competition from other teams looking to secure his services. Sasaki’s remarkable talent and potential could make him a long-term cornerstone for any pitching staff, but his price tag could be high.

If the Yankees do pursue any of these pitchers, the likelihood of them also signing Verlander would decrease, as their starting rotation is already filled with established veterans and some high-paid arms, such as **Gerrit Cole**, who committed to the Yankees for the long term. **Carlos Rodón**, **Marcus Stroman**, and **Nestor Cortes** round out a competitive rotation for 2025, and the team is set to spend a substantial portion of their payroll on their pitching staff next season.

At just under $102 million allocated to starting pitchers, the Yankees will have to be strategic with their spending. While adding another ace like Snell or Verlander could solidify their rotation, they’ll need to balance that with the rest of their roster needs and financial flexibility. Pursuing a younger, cost-effective option like Sasaki or adding a reclamation project like Flaherty could provide a more sustainable long-term solution while still bolstering the staff for 2025 and beyond.