New York Yankees star Aaron Judge has pushed the front office to become even more aggressive before Opening Day, urging the club to add another premium talent after acquiring Juan Soto. Unfortunately for Judge, the Yankees now seem to be backing off one of the best players available.

The Yankees were believed to be one of the finalists in MLB free agency for starting pitcher Blake Snell, making the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner a unique contract offer that would make him happy and provide long-term financial flexibility. However, it now appears the Yankees could be on the verge of taking themselves out of the mix.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees’ interest in Snell is “softening” as of late. While New York once viewed him as a front-line starter it had a strong shot at landing, it now appears the front office is ready to back off the two-time Cy Young Award winner unless he lowers his contract demands.

• Blake Snell stats: 2.25 ERA, 11.7 K/9, 0.75 HR/9, 234-99 K-BB, 1.19 WHIP, 31.5 percent strikeout rate, .180 batting average allowed in 180 innings pitched

There may also be another motive behind New York changing its stance on Snell. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Yankees have a preference for Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease over Snell to plug into their rotation.

It should come as no surprise that Cease could be higher on New York’s radar. While the 28-year-old wasn’t as effective last season as he was in 2022, he is only owed an $8 million salary in 2024 and is arbitration-eligible for the final time in 2025. In comparison, Snell would cost a multi-year deal worth $30-plus million annually.

However, the financial savings come at another cost. Nightengale reports that if the Yankees want to acquire Cease, Chicago is insistent on receiving top outfield prospect Spencer Jones. As of now, that’s an asking price New York is reportedly not even willing to entertain.

For now, the Yankees are seemingly prepared to head into the 2024 MLB schedule with their current rotation and wait out both the White Sox and Snell. If either two parties lower their demands, then New York could get back into the mix by landing another front-line starter and improving their World Series odds.