ARE THE YANKEES GIVING UP ON A REUNION WITH MONTY?

It's amazing how "desperate" the Yankees look this winter. I can't say I like it, but I guess that is what you get when the insanity train keeps rolling with Brian Cashman in charge. The Yankees are still searching for a starter, and we are still impatiently waiting.

I never liked the way Jordan Montgomery and the Yankees parted ways. Brian Cashman and his big mouth really burned a bridge there. Last week I said CASHMAN'S "PLAN B" MEANS MENDING BURNED BRIDGES, and I don't think Cashman can do it. I am even less optimistic after reading some headlines this weekend.

It's no surprise the Rangers want Montgomery back. He helped them win their first World Series, and he blossomed into a better pitcher in Texas. He's valuable, and the Rangers know it unlike Cashman did. Now MLB insiders are predicting he returns to Texas and a local barbeque spot is offering him free barbeque for life is he returns to Arlington, read more HERE. Why should he want to go back to New York? I really don't think he should.

So now the Yankees have to hope and pray that Monty wants to go back to the Bronx. They say they feel confident that they get either Monty or Blake Snell, and now they believe they may have better chances with Snell, read more HERE. So are the Yankees giving up, and preparing to settle for Snell?

I hate to use the word settle, but that's what it feels like. I also think IF the Yankees can get Snell but not Monty, it is settling. It feels weird to say that about a guy who was a Cy Young in both leagues, but Snell comes with some real risk that may not give the Yankees the stability they need.

There's a lot to like about him. The resume can't be overlooked. I love his pitching repertoire especially the killer curveball and a good slider. His final 23 starts last season were his lowest ERA in sample size and dominated hitters with runners in scoring position. All pluses on paper.

But what about his walks? He walked 13.3 percent of batters in 2023 which is the most by any qualified starter since 2000. The walk rate and high pitch counts could be more of a detriment to the Yankees than a benefit. We have seen enough of our starters not pitching deep into games which makes us burnout the bullpen. The Yankees need another reliable arm beyond Gerrit Cole, and I don't think that is Snell. The control issues can't be ignored.

So now we wait and see what today and the following days bring. If we hear more Snell rumors, we know what that means. I guess we will wait and see if the Yankees have to settle more than we would like but the Yankees have to figure it out soon. Spring Training will be here soon.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj