Blake Snell was one of the best players available in MLB free agency this offseason when his contract with the San Diego Padres expired in October. Months later, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner could finally be drawing closer to finding a home for the 2024 season.
Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, has received plenty of interest in free agency. The New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels have all pursued the 31-year-old pitcher at various points this offseason, including this spring.
- Blake Snell stats 2023: 2.25 ERA, 11.7 K/9, .180 batting average allowed, 1.19 WHIP in 180 IP
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However, the southpaw’s asking price in contract talks has seemingly driven teams away. Now that the top starting pitchers on the trade block have been moved, though, the market for Snell seems to be ramping up.
According to Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Houston Astros are in “serious pursuit” of Snell as MLB spring training wraps up. Importantly, Astros’ owner Jim Crane reportedly coveted Snell at the 2023 MLB trade deadline.
With Opening Day fast approaching on the Astros schedule, Houston is in dire need of starting pitching. Justin Verlander, who will open the season on the injured list, is only facing hitters for the first time in live batting practice in a matter of days. While he is inching closer to a return from a shoulder injury, he’s one of many injured Astros starting pitchers right now.
- 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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Jose Urquidy exited a start on Friday with elbow soreness and the veteran hurler is scheduled to undergo further evaluation. This comes at a time when Lance McCullers Jr. is working his way back from last season’s elbow surgery, which is expected to sideline him until July.
Latest Blake Snell contract projections
In February, Snell was reportedly offered a three-year deal by the Yankees that would’ve been worth more than $32 million per season and included player opt-outs. However, when he didn’t accept the proposal, New York turned its focus to a trade for Dylan Cease.
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According to The Athletic, Snell is believed to be seeking a multi-year deal worth $30 million to $32 million annually. Notably, per Rosenthal and Rome, Snell’s agent Scott Boras is believed to be seeking the same structure of a contract he landed for Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman. Both players agreed to three-year deals that included opt-outs after the first and second seasons.
It’s worth noting that the last time the Astros were heavily linked to a free agent it was All-Star closer Josh Hader. Days later, he signed a deal with Houston to become their top reliever. Given the recent Urquidy injury and Crane’s long-standing interest in Snell, it’s possible they agree to a deal before Opening Day.
