The 2023 NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell finds himself in a state of limbo as he navigates the dried-up free agency market.
Despite being universally recognized as one of the best pitchers in baseball, Snell is still searching for his next home.
He and his agent Scott Boras have clearly drawn a line in the sand when it comes to their contract demands – and to this point, no club has been overly interested in approaching it.
Blake Snell, reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, threw for scouts the other day. That’s like Tom Cruise auditioning for community theater.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) March 18, 2024
Among the teams that have shown legitimate interest are the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and both Los Angeles teams.
What will Blake Snell do today? pic.twitter.com/qKAm3Yi0J0
— Dean Ciriaco (@skippsviewdean) March 18, 2024
Speaking of the Giants, their new manager is a very familiar one to Snell – and that of course is Bob Melvin who managed the two-time Cy Young winner in San Diego last season.
With rumors of San Francisco being the favorites to land Snell, Melvin recently spoke of his former ace.
Interestingly, he made it clear that his top priority is for Snell to be happy and sign with a team where he truly wants to be.
“I want Blake to go somewhere he’s happy. He’s a terrific kid and a good pitcher,” Melvin told Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
If there was an aggressive sales-pitch to be made, the respected-Melvin gladly passed up on it.
Giants are among teams showing interest in reigning NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Uncertain where SF stands but manager Bob Melvin, who had him in SD, said this today. “I want Blake to go somewhere he’s happy. He’s a terrific kid and a good pitcher.”
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 18, 2024
Snell, who spent the past three seasons with the Padres, was dominant in 2023, earning his second Cy Young Award and first in the National League.
His impressive stats included a 6.0 WAR, 2.25 ERA, and 234 strikeouts in 180 innings pitched. Although San Diego was one of the most disappointing team in all of baseball, Snell more than carried his weight.
Bob Melvin had Tatis Jr, Juan Soto, Manny Machado , Blake Snell and Josh Hader and couldn’t get them to PLAY for him
The Mighty Bob Melvin 🤡 only finished w 3 more wins than #SFGiants
— Mike (@MikeYentk) March 18, 2024
When it’s all said and done, where do you think Snell will end up?
Will he reunite with his former manager?
What type of contract will he end up getting???
A chopped cheese with a Welch’s grape soda and an unlimited metro card
— Why You Mad? (@SaltNPeppaPapi_) March 18, 2024