Blake Snell’s remarkable achievement as the seventh pitcher in history to clinch Cy Young Awards in both leagues has set the stage for a bidding war in Major League Baseball’s (MLB) free agency market. The 31-year-old left-hander, standing on the precipice of a potentially historic contract, joins an elite group of 11 pitchers who have become free agents after securing the coveted Cy Young accolade.
In a league where the financial landscape has been reshaped by staggering deals, such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s massive $325 million contract with the Dodgers, Snell’s impending payday is creating a buzz. The southpaw, who exhibited a stellar performance last season with the Padres, is in high demand, and contenders like the Red Sox, Mets, and Yankees are eager to secure his services.
The debate over whether investing heavily in starting pitchers is a risky move echoes the sentiments of baseball’s bygone eras. From the epochal signing of Catfish Hunter by the Yankees on New Year’s Eve fifty years ago to the present, the narrative remains consistent – a gamble with no guaranteed outcome. Buck Showalter, reflecting on Snell’s prowess, remarked, “[Snell] is one of those guys who seems to be pitching downhill.” Yet, as Showalter wisely added, the unpredictable nature of starting pitchers remains a constant, whether they emerge from MLB or Japan.
Snell’s statistics from last season highlight his credentials as the premier free-agent starter. Despite a shaky start, conceding five runs per game early in the campaign, he rebounded impressively, finishing with a 14-9 record, 234 strikeouts in 180 innings, and a sparkling 2.25 ERA. Comparing him to the American League Cy Young winner, Gerrit Cole, who made one more start and averaged an additional inning per game, underscores Snell’s exceptional performance.
The inherent unpredictability of starting pitchers is underscored by historical examples. The Yankees, after inking a lucrative deal with Carlos Rodón mirroring the one they had with CC Sabathia, experienced contrasting fortunes. Sabathia delivered, contributing to a World Series triumph, while Rodón’s tenure was marred by injuries, finishing with a dismal ERA just under seven runs a game.
General manager Brian Cashman, acknowledging the inherent uncertainty, expressed optimism for Rodón’s second year with the Yankees, embodying the perpetual hope teams invest in their star pitchers. The precarious nature of pitchers’ health is encapsulated in the story of Nathan Eovaldi, who played a pivotal role in the Rangers’ World Series victory despite undergoing Tommy John surgery twice in his career.
Snell’s resilience following arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow four years ago has elevated him to the pinnacle of his league. His stellar contribution to the Padres’ 82-80 record last season echoes the impact Cole had on the Yankees’ identical record. While Cole remains unavailable, Snell stands as the premier free-agent option, and teams, particularly those languishing at the bottom like the Red Sox, should be at the forefront of the queue to secure his services. The left-hander’s impending payday promises to be a pivotal moment in this offseason’s MLB free agency frenzy.