San Francisco Giants’ pitcher Blake Snell has experienced a whirlwind season.
Just a month ago, Snell’s trade value was virtually nonexistent, but after a scorching July, he has become a highly coveted asset.
Now, with the MLB trade deadline upon us, the Giants are seriously considering dealing the reigning Cy Young Award winner.
However, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Giants’ management is currently “unwilling to pay down Blake Snell’s deal.”
This financial inflexibility may hinder the team’s ability to trade the star pitcher.
Despite winning his second Cy Young Award in 2023, Snell couldn’t secure the lucrative, long-term contract he desired.
Eventually, the 31-year-old left-hander signed a two-year deal with the Giants, worth $32 million for this season and a $30 million player option for 2025.
Snell’s 2024 season began disastrously. He landed on the 15-day injured list twice in the first three months, missing time due to a left adductor strain in April and a left groin injury in June.
However, injuries weren’t the sole cause of his early struggles; Snell, a former ERA champion, simply couldn’t find his rhythm.
In his first six starts through June 2, Snell recorded a dismal 9.51 ERA, ranking him 228th among starting pitchers.
He allowed a .304 batting average against, a 1.94 WHIP, a -1.12 WPA, and posted a -0.1 fWAR. Over 23.2 innings, Snell gave up 25 earned runs, making his stellar 2023 season with the San Diego Padres seem like a distant memory.
With the Giants far from playoff contention, Snell’s $62 million contract appeared to be a burdensome commitment.
However, in a dramatic turnaround, Snell has been exceptional since his return from the injured list. Over 24 innings, he has allowed just two earned runs.
In four starts since July 9, Snell boasts a 0.75 ERA, 30 strikeouts, a .104 batting average against, a 0.63 WHIP, a 1.05 WPA, and a 0.8 fWAR, re-establishing himself as a valuable rotation piece.
This resurgence has reignited interest from teams like the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, a trade with division rivals like the Dodgers remains unlikely.
If the Giants persist in their refusal to offset any of Snell’s remaining salary, their pool of potential trade partners may shrink, despite the pitcher’s impressive return to form.
Will Snell be traded today? … If so, where will he end up???