Several MLB clubs, including the Yankees, were seeking to improve their starting pitching during the offseason. Most of these teams were in a financial position to do so given how much an elite starter or two might cost.
For example, the owner of the Philadelphia Phillies admitted publicly he was prepared to spend “stupid” money to make the Phills great again. In addition to being interested in signing Patrick Corbin, they also were willing to chase down and sign the two premier free agents on the market, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. In the end, of course, they signed Harper.