Cy Young Winner the Latest Player to Express Disinterest in Playing for the Yankees
Rumors are recycled opinions, and those who believe every superstar is destined for the Yankees often end up disappointed. Once the crown jewel of Major League Baseball, the Yankees now serve more as leverage for free agents to inflate their market value. Whether they offer a modest deal or a record-breaking contract, New York is no longer viewed as an attractive destination. The Yankees’ legacy may still echo, but in today’s game, reputation alone no longer wins loyalty.
This reality was underscored when NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes publicly dismissed a rumor suggesting he was eager to join the Yankees. The claim, attributed to an unnamed Pittsburgh Pirates player, gained traction in the press. Skenes responded bluntly: “I don’t know the reporter. I don’t know the player. The goal is to win in Pittsburgh.” His statement was a clear rejection and another reminder of how far the Yankees have fallen.
General Manager Brian Cashman’s recent Zoom interview comments only reinforced the perception that the organization lacks direction. Around the league, the Yankees are seen as a team making questionable decisions without a coherent strategy. In the past year, the Dodgers criticized their fundamentals in a scouting report. Juan Soto, after a World Series run with Aaron Judge, turned down the largest contract offer in Yankees history to sign the largest deal in baseball history with the New York Mets.
Former Yankees have not held back. Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez have publicly criticized the organization. Aroldis Chapman, their former closer, said he “wouldn’t be caught dead” returning to the Bronx. Even fringe former players like Clint Frazier have taken shots from podcast platforms. Reports suggest Cashman has used media manipulation in negotiations, alienating beloved figures like Joe Torre, Jeter, and Judge. His behind-the-scenes power plays have created a culture where players are expected to accept his terms or be cast aside.
If not for Hal Steinbrenner’s intervention, Judge would have signed with the Giants in 2022. Cashman operates quietly but decisively, and players who challenge him often find themselves pushed out. The Yankees are no longer MLB’s only financial powerhouse, and players now have options. Skenes’ comments reflect a broader truth: under Cashman, the Yankees have lost their appeal. No matter how much money they offer, players simply don’t want to play in New York anymore unless it's Queens.
