Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell has been one of the best players available in MLB free agency since the winter. With Opening Day fast approaching, there’s another development in his prolonged free-agency saga.
Many around baseball thought Snell would come off the board once Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed contracts. Months later, the two-time Cy Young Award winner is still a free agent and spring training is in its final days.
- Blake Snell career stats: 3.20 ERA, 29.7 percent K-rate, 10.9 percent walk rate, .212 batting average allowed, 1.24 WHIP in 992.2 innings pitched
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A deal for Snell seemed even more likely once the Milwaukee Brewers traded Corbin Curnes and then the Chicago White Sox dealt Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres. Yet, even with front-line starters now off the trade block, it still appears nothing is imminent. However, there is reportedly a front-runner.
- Blake Snell stats 2023: 2.25 ERA, 11.7 K/9, .180 batting average allowed, 1.19 WHIP in 180 IP
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the San Francisco Giants are “looming as the favorites” for Snell. While the Houston Astros and New York Yankees are still believed to be involved, San Francisco is viewed around the league as the team likeliest to sign the 31-year-old southpaw.
Related: Houston Astros in ‘serious pursuit’ of Blake Snell
Details on potential Blake Snell asking price
While the Giants are favored to sign Snell, they reportedly have some of the same reservations as the Yankees and Astros. Houston, New York and San Francisco are all willing to make Snell one of the highest-paid MLB players but not at his current asking price.
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Snell reportedly wants at least $30 million per season in a deal offering at least two years guaranteed. Similar to other clients of agent Scott Boras – Matt Chapman and Cody Bellinger – Snell’s contract demands would include a player opt-out after the 2024 season.
The Giants have already negotiated that type of contract with Boras once this spring, landing Chapman to play third base. With the Astros reportedly concerned about the luxury tax and the Yankees prepared to bet on their existing options at pitcher, San Francisco could eventually land Snell around Opening Day.
