Finally, the current National League Cy Young winner has found a new team after a long wait.
A experienced left-handed pitcher Blake Snell has supposedly agreed to a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman was the first to share the news on March 18, and mentioned that the deal includes an option to leave after the 2024 season. The team has not confirmed the signing yet, but Snell seems to have confirmed the news on Instagram.
After a lengthy and uncertain offseason, Snell joins the Giants just 10 days before Opening Day. The signing marks the end of Snell’s long time as a free agent as his agent, Scott Boras, sought to secure a profitable, multi-year deal for him. The late signing raises questions about whether Snell will have enough time to train and be part of San Francisco’s starting rotation at the beginning of the regular season.
Boras Faces Ridicule for Failing to Get Snell a Long-Term Deal
It's somewhat surprising that Snell remained unsigned for this long, given his impressive 2023 season that led to his second Cy Young Award. As Snell stayed a free agent longer, more critics began to blame Boras.
Former MLB outfielder Gary Sheffield Jr. was among the many vocal critics who took to social media to express their disapproval of Boras’ handling of Snell’s contract negotiations.
“Blake Snell went from wanting $200M+ to asking for a 2-year deal at $66M with an opt out after 2024?” Sheffield said in a post on X. “So essentially he went from a 7-8 year ask down to a 1-year ‘I’ll opt out if I pitch well’ contract? Nice work, Mr. Boras. A true masterclass.”
Per several sources, the Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels were among the teams that had shown serious interest in Snell; however, Boras’ high asking price raised luxury tax concerns that ultimately made a long-term deal unattainable. The Giants stood firm on a short-term contract but were able to meet Boras’ request for $31 million AAV.
Can Snell Maintain his Cy Young Form?
Snell is coming off a noteworthy 2023 season, his third with the San Diego Padres. He posted an NL-leading 2.25 ERA alongside a 1.189 WHIP with 234 strikeouts in 180 innings pitched, and his 5.9 hits allowed per nine innings was best in the National League.
Blake Snell, San Diego Padres
As impressive as Snell was last season, his track record does raise some concerns about inconsistency. He led all MLB pitchers with 99 walks last season and struggled to pitch deep into games, averaging just 5.3 innings per start over the last three years.
Snell’s 2.25 ERA last season was his best since his previous Cy Young season, which came with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018; that year, he posted an American League-leading 1.89 ERA. In between his Cy Young wins, however, he had two seasons with an ERA over 4 — 4.29 in 2019 and 4.20 in 2021.
Snell Signing Completes Busy Offseason for Giants
Despite his inconsistencies, Snell has a remarkably high potential that made him one of the top free agents this offseason. He is the newest addition to several big names joining the Giants this offseason as the team aims to add star power and become a playoff contender.
The Giants got a new center fielder and leadoff hitter in Jung Hoo Lee, who agreed to a six-year, $113 million contract in December, then went on to sign Jorge Soler to a three-year, $42 million deal in February. They also acquired former Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray and signed right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks to a four-year contract San Francisco’s biggest move happened earlier this month when they signed outfielder Matt Chapman — another Boras client — to a three-year, $54 million deal that includes two opt-outs. Snell is the latest high-profile addition made by the Giants, who are aiming to reach the postseason for the first time since 2021..
Veteran left-hander Blake Snell has reportedly agreed to a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. three-year, $54 million deal that includes two opt-outs. Snell is the latest high-profile addition made by the Giants, who are aiming to reach the postseason for the first time since 2021.
