Top free-agent pitcher Blake Snells camp and the Yankees are continuing to discuss potential scenarios they talked again Monday but so far its just talk without much progress.

I will not put the Yankees-Blake Snell possibility at zero.But keep in mind the situation: To sign Snell for the Yankees would cost them their second and fifth pick in the July draft and $1 million in international pool money. More dramatically, the Yankees are luxury-tax violators for the third straight time.

The Yankees deal Thursday night for consistent veteran right-hander Marcus Stroman came as quite a surprise considering the uneasy history of the parties. But it made some sense when you realize how many of the Yankees recent efforts for even bigger pitching stars failed and how badly their viable rotation options dwindled.

Even if the Yankees and Blake Snell cant close a large gap in negotiations, the team still needs to improve a rotation that looks precariously thin.

You can convince me that Blake Snell is Carlos Rodon II, Al Leiter or Randy Johnson Lite. He is as polarizing a free agent as exists in this market.

The Yankees continue to talk with top free-agent starters Blake Snell, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, and Jordan Montgomery, an October hero for the Rangers, while also considering big-time trade candidates, including Dylan Cease, sources familiar with the situation said.

The Yankees have been eyeing their former starter Jordan Montgomery most of winter, and now they are also considering NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell. If they have a choice, theres no choice. Go for Snell. Go for the gusto.

The Yankees might have to do something even more uncomfortable than lavishly sign a pitcher who has yet to throw a MLB pitch.

Into the new year theres still nearly an All-Star team of players who remain free agents. Without further ado, heres our team of the best available.