The New York Yankees have made a significant move to bolster their pitching rotation by signing 2-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell to an undisclosed contract. Snell, 31, is coming off an impressive season with the San Diego Padres, where he posted a remarkable 2.25 ERA with 234 strikeouts in 180 innings on his way to winning his second Cy Young award.

The addition of Snell adds depth to a rotation that already features Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, and Marcus Stroman. The Yankees are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 82-80 season in 2023, their worst record since 1992, despite Cole's Cy Young campaign.

Snell's performance on the mound has been stellar, with only allowing 19 runs in his final 23 starts last season. However, concerns about his control have been raised as he struggled to consistently throw strikes, leading to deep counts and early exits in some games.

The Yankees are mindful of their competitive balance tax payroll, which currently exceeds the $297 million threshold, subjecting them to a 110% tax on every dollar over the limit. Despite this financial consideration, the signing of Snell underscores the team's commitment to competing for a World Series title.

Manager Aaron Boone expressed the team's strong determination to become champions and the addition of Snell is expected to improve their chances significantly. With Snell joining the rotation, the Yankees are aiming to build a formidable pitching staff capable of making a deep postseason run in the upcoming season.