Blake Snell is expected to have many teams interested as he enters free agency after an impressive second half of the 2024 season. This comes after his remarkable 2023 campaign, in which he won his second Cy Young award, yet he didn’t sign with the San Francisco Giants until just 10 days before Opening Day.
That may explain why an ESPN survey of 18 MLB team executives and baseball insiders named the Giants as the most likely destination for Snell this winter. Seven voters selected the Giants, three more than the Philadelphia Phillies, who already have a high-priced rotation with Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Taijuan Walker under contract. The Toronto Blue Jays received two votes, while the Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets each earned one vote.
One voter pointed out that Snell thrived on the West Coast, particularly with the San Diego Padres, and may find success with the Giants for similar reasons. Though Snell initially struggled in San Francisco, likely due to signing late, he rebounded in the second half with a 5-0 record and a 1.45 ERA, including 103 strikeouts in 68.1 innings and even a no-hitter.
Concerns about Snell’s durability persist, as he turns 32 in December and has never exceeded 180 innings in a season, a mark he hit in both of his Cy Young years. Prior to his no-hitter, Snell had never pitched a full nine innings in a start.
Why might Snell stay with the Giants? Aside from a lucrative long-term deal, he enjoys the stability of playing for manager Bob Melvin, whom he’s worked with for the past three years. The chance to play behind one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball, Matt Chapman, is also appealing to a left-handed pitcher. The Giants would also avoid sacrificing a draft pick or bonus pool money to sign him, unlike most of the other top starters on the market.
On the flip side, the Giants’ goal of staying under the Competitive Balance Tax could make a big contract for Snell difficult. They may prioritize other free agents, like Juan Soto (unlikely), Willy Adames (probably not), or Ha-Seong Kim (more likely). Snell might also prefer to join a team with a better outlook than the Giants.
If the insiders have any insider knowledge, it’s a positive sign for Snell returning to San Francisco. Until more reports surface, it’s safe to remain cautiously optimistic about the possibility of him rejoining the Giants.
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