When reports surfaced suggesting that Blake Snell was aiming for a $200 million deal in free agency, it became clear why the San Diego Padres weren’t keen on retaining the reigning National League Cy Young award winner for 2024.
The Padres were widely rumored to be cutting down their player payroll. The trade of Juan Soto, along with letting free agents like Josh Hader, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and others go elsewhere, only reinforced this notion.
As the offseason progressed, and the Padres’ need for starting pitchers persisted, it remained uncertain whether Snell had adjusted his contract expectations or if he still exceeded what San Diego was willing to pay.
The situation seems to be a bit of both.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Snell is now seeking a three-year, $66 million deal. His agent, Scott Boras, has engaged with two teams, but both are waiting for Snell to reconsider his asking price:
“Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell has informed the Houston Astros that he’s willing to sign a short-term deal to join them, but is seeking at least a two-year guarantee for $66 million, that includes an opt-out after the 2024 season. The Astros are intrigued, club officials say, but are the latest team to balk at his asking price. The Astros, who began exchanging proposals with agent Scott Boras earlier in the week, are waiting to see if the price-tag drops.”
“The San Francisco Giants remain in the picture for Snell, but also are waiting for Snell to lower his demands, just as they did when they signed third baseman Matt Chapman to a three-year, $52 million contract with opt-outs after each year.”
Snell, aged 31, had an impressive record of 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA in 32 starts (180 innings) for the Padres last season. Overall, he holds a 29-25 record with a 3.15 ERA in three years since joining the Padres from the Tampa Bay Rays. His performance in 2023 was outstanding enough to earn him 28 of 30 first-place votes in NL Cy Young balloting.
However, a reunion with the Padres never seemed likely, and it remains to be seen if other teams find Snell’s demands reasonable.
Losing Snell to San Francisco would be disappointing, as both the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks are considered obstacles in the Padres’ quest for at least an NL Wild Card berth.
While losing Snell to an American League team like the Astros would be less painful, given their previous signing of Hader and their consistent success in reaching the AL Championship Series, seeing Snell in the 2024 World Series would be the next best outcome for the Padres if they can’t re-sign him.