Yankees Rumors: Patrick Corbin Got Better Contract Offer From Phillies, Sonny Gray Drawing Interest

Patrick Corin Arizona Diamondbacks — Patrick Corbin #46 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a first inning pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field on September 17, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Norm Hall/Getty Images

After weeks of rumors, we seem to be getting closer to the New York Yankees pulling the trigger on a deal. The team could make a couple of moves regarding their rotation by the time next week’s Winter Meetings are finished.

New York’s top priority this offseason has been to improve the rotation. They’ve already taken one step toward that goal by trading for James Paxton from the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees hope the next step is adding Patrick Corbin.

Corbin, 29, is the top pitcher in free agency. New York looked like they might be the favorite to land the left-hander at the start of the offseason, but they’ve got competition from the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals. If the Yankees want to land the New York native, they might have to hope Corbin passes on a larger contract offer.

Patrick Corbin will receive a 6-year contract worth at least $125 million, several executives with knowledge of his pursuit believe. The unknown is whether Corbin would take a discount to join his hometown #Yankees. Decision is expected this week.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 4, 2018

The decision that Patrick Corbin will likely be faced with is whether to take less money to be a Yankee. Then it could work.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) December 4, 2018

As soon as Patrick Corbin picks his team, the losers in his bidding could be in better position to focus more earnestly on the Indians' starting pitchers who are available -- with some dollars attached...Cleveland might ask a team to take contract of Jason Kipnis as part any deal
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 4, 2018

New York has also been in discussions to add another starter through a trade. Perhaps the team will use part of the package they get in return for Sonny Gray to acquire another player. The Yankees are doing their best to move the pitcher that was taken out of the rotation last season.

Gray struggled with the Yankees after coming over from a trade with the Oakland Athletics. There is a belief that the right-hander could once again thrive in a smaller marker. According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, New York has had recent trade discussions about Gray with the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres.

If Corbin chooses the Phillies or Nationals, the Yankees could re-visit discussions with the Indians about Corey Kluber. New York is also interested in bringing back J.A. Happ, who was the team’s best starter in the second half of last season.

Major league baseball