The San Francisco Giants were considered one of the finalists for star Japanese pitcher and top MLB free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto. While that might still be the case, a recent report suggests that the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are now co-favorites.
Much like they had to do by moving off Shohei Ohtani after he signed with the Dodgers, the Giants might have to look at an alternative to Yamamoto.
If so, Jon Heyman of MLB Network suggests that the Giants would be favored to land reigning National League Cy Young winner Blake Snell from the division-rival San Diego Padres.
Snell, 31, certainly isn’t anyone to sneeze at. He wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize for a Giants organization that has struggled landing top-end MLB free agents in the past.
Related: Crazy theory arises as to why San Francisco Giants can’t attract top MLB free agents
Despite leading the National League in walks last season with 99, Snell was dominant. He pitched to a league-best 2.25 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP while striking out 234 batters in 180 innings en route to winning the NL Cy Young. It represented his second career win in that category after earning the same honors with the Tampa Bay Rays back in 2018.
Blake Snell career stats: 71-55 record, 3.20 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 11.7 Ks per nine
Snell would join a rotation led by reigning National League Cy Young runner-up Logan Webb to form one of the best duos on baseball. Given that San Francsico plays at one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in baseball, this could set the team up well.
The Giants moved on from the Ohtani sweepstakes earlier this week by adding Korean sensation Jung Hoo Lee to a six-year, $113 million contract. The Gold Glove winner projects as a top-of-the-lineup bat and an above-average fielder at the MLB level. At the very least, front office head Farhan Zaidi and Co. are being proactive.