Offseason Hotstove Thread

Hi Cookback.

Narvaez played at Triple A for the Yankees.

The Yankees made an opening offer to top free-agent starter Blake Snell, The Post has learned.

However, with little to no evidence of significant progress on Snell or two other top rotation targets — free agent Jordan Montgomery or trade option Dylan Cease — the Yankees are starting to look a bit more seriously to the next pitchers on their list, including former Met Marcus Stroman.

Not only do the Yankees remain far apart on a Snell deal, they’re no closer in Cease trade talks — the White Sox want a big prospect package including top outfield prospect Spencer Jones — and they’re starting to believe Montgomery prefers to return to Texas or go somewhere else. If nothing changes in coming days, Stroman in particular will continue to become an increasingly viable option.

Here’s where they stand on seven pitching possibilities:

1. Snell: Word is the 2023 AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole is on board for Snell, the 2023 NL Cy Young winner. But of course, that doesn’t solve the current financial issue — that big gap between ask and offer.

The Yankees seem to believe Snell wants to be here and are guessing the main competition may come from the Giants and Angels, who aren’t as appealing from a competitive standpoint. Of course, it’s hard to guess who else might get involved for a pitcher who posted an MLB-best 1.20 ERA over the last four-plus months of last season. The Phillies, baseball’s best free-agent players, are among others who’ve checked in and seek yet another starter.

2. Montgomery: The Yankees like him more now than when they sent him to the Cardinals for Harrison Bader, but the bigger question is what Montgomery thinks about a return. Some suspect he’d like to stay in Texas, where he was an October hero en route to the Rangers’ first World Series title, if they can get their TV issue resolved and swing a big deal. The Phillies, Red Sox, Giants, Angels and others are showing interest.

3. Stroman: While it’s a surprise the Yankees are pursuing Stroman after his past derogatory tweets regarding GM Brian Cashman, there’s little choice now but to consider anyone this talented, consistent and durable who’s interested in pitching in pinstripes, as he was a few years back when he was said to be disappointed to be acquired in a trade by the Mets instead. The Giants, Angels, Red Sox and Orioles all have checked in on the pitcher, who was brilliant in the first half last year before nagging injuries sidelined him.

4. Cease: The Yankees are showing little interest in relenting on a prospect-heavy package led by Jones, the top prospect from Vanderbilt.

The Orioles, who have the best prospects, plus the Dodgers, Reds and many others also are involved. The long-held belief is he will be traded but talks seem to have slowed and it’s possible they will wait for the deadline to deal him.

5. Jesus Luzardo: There was said to be “no traction” in talks with the Marlins, who are discussing Luzardo, Edward Cabrera and other starters.

6 and 7. Corbin Burnes and Shane Bieber: With the Brewers having an excellent chance even in the improved NL Central and the Guardians having a chance in the AL Central, both are seen as likely to stay — at least until the deadline.