The longest and most drawn-out storyline of the entire MLB offseason was the Blake Snell saga.
Due to a dried-up free agent market, the reigning National League Cy Young winner didn’t end up signing with a club until just prior to the start of the regular season.
Caught up with Blake Snell over the weekend, who shared his thoughts on a difficult free agency and the direction he sees teams trending.
"It definitely sucks when you've proven yourself and you can't get a long term deal."https://t.co/mqkVMRlw1j
— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) April 1, 2024
While the New York Yankees were the team that showed the most consistent interest, Snell ended up inking a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants.
The short-term (yet lucrative) deal allows Snell to prove his worth on the mound (again) and re-enter the free agent pool while still in his prime.
.@PavlovicNBCS shares what fans need to know about Blake Snell's looming Giants debut ⬇ pic.twitter.com/s04MtlA3pV
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) April 2, 2024
There are plenty of clubs throughout baseball who are in desperate need of reliable pitching and surely could have used Snell.
Unfortunately for him and the entire MLBPA, owners across baseball are doing their best to lower the bar on contracts around the league.
However, Snell’s agent Scott Boras played the waiting game and still produced a solid outcome for his client.
If only Blake snell or Jordan Montgomery or Dillon Cease were available up til just a few days ago #RepBX pic.twitter.com/PyowHOAJZs
— BillsSabresYankeesKnicks (@BillsMafiaEP) March 28, 2024
While Snell is assumed to be a happy camper in San Francisco, reports indicate that the team he really wanted to sign with all along was the Los Angeles Angels.
“Snell, who signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the Giants just before the end of camp, was actually hoping to sign with the Angels, but an offer never came through. His only two formal offers before signing with the Giants came from the New York Yankees in February when they offered a five-year deal for about $115 million, and the Houston Astros (two years, $42 million) in March,” Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported.
Blake Snell right now trying to decide between taking less money and winning a Championship with the Yankees vs. taking more money, but never seeing a playoff game again with the Angels. pic.twitter.com/hyOg1WvzS1
— Jake Kosack (@JakeKosack) February 22, 2024
Despite the opportunity to pitch in pinstripes, Snell was reportedly dead-set on remaining on the west coast.
When the Angels never stepped up to the plate (mound), Snell knew it was time to take the next best thing in his eyes.
My goodness. There’s so much smoke around snell to the Angels. Arte needs to wake up and make it happen already my goodness. Seeing Sandoval struggle yesterday against rangers B team gotta be a sign we need an ace
— Troy Means (@troymeans) March 12, 2024
The decision by the Angels to pass on Snell prompts speculation about their roster-building strategy.
Despite the glaring need for pitching, the Angels appear to be prioritizing a roster rebuild, a move long overdue for the franchise.
Blake Snell is a 2x Cy Young winner, established Ace and current FA. He’d slot in perfectly atop this young Angels rotation. But will Arte pay him the big money contract he wants? Is he worth 240 million? Idk but Blake Snell would look good in Halo Red🔥 pic.twitter.com/6eq9mbmxNQ
— Jay the One & Only (@Js4424) January 18, 2024
Snell will finally make his much-anticipated season debut on April 8th against the Washington Nationals.
He is out to revenge those who lowballed him
— EdgePlayBook (@EdgePlayBook) April 2, 2024
What are your thoughts on Snell’s preference to play for the Angels?
Assuming money is relatively equal, do you think Snell is someone who prioritizes comfortability over winning? (After all, it’s not like the Angels are nearly the title contenders that the Yankees and Astros are.)
How do you think he’ll pitch for the Giants?
Do you see San Francisco making a serious run at the Dodgers in the NL West???
Man, the NL West is gonna be more entertaining than originally thought. The Dodgers had their spending spree while the Giants, Padres, and Diamondbacks also made some moves (recently with the Giants and Blake Snell, and tonight with the DBacks signing Jordan Montgomery). Love it!
— StatsBrad (@StatsBrad) March 27, 2024