The Blake Snell free agency saga might come to an end soon with a surprise suitor arriving late.
The Houston Astros have emerged as a landing spot for the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner and according to Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic, “They are engaged in a serious pursuit of left-hander.”
Blake Snell of the San Diego Padres talks to teammates on the mound during the sixth inning of the game against the Miami Marlins on May 31, 2023, in Miami, Florida. Snell is still a… Blake Snell of the San Diego Padres talks to teammates on the mound during the sixth inning of the game against the Miami Marlins on May 31, 2023, in Miami, Florida. Snell is still a free agent and is reportedly being pursued by the Houston Astros.
Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Snell, 31, is the best pitcher available on the free-agent market and has drawn interest from other teams such as the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Angels.
The Athletic also said that Snell is believed to be seeking the same type of contract recently signed by two other Scott Boras clients, Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman — a three-year deal with two opt-outs.
While still navigating the free agency water, Snell is trying to stay game-ready. According got John Feinsand of MLB.com, Snell threw a 60-pitch simulated game in Seattle on Friday in front of scouts from the Giants and Astros.
Blake Snell threw four simulated innings on Friday in Seattle in front of scouts from teams including the Giants and Astros, per source. Those in attendance were said to be impressed with how ready he looks.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 15, 2024
The Astros are in dire need of adding another starting pitcher after José Uriquidy pulled himself from a minor-league start and joined a growing list of injured starting pitchers that already includes Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr., and Luis Garcia.
Verlander will start the season on the injured list with shoulder inflammation while the other two are recovering from elbow surgeries. Verlander is expected back in mid-April and the others aren’t due back until after the All-Star Break.
Considering the Houston Astros pitching injuries this spring, the latest with Jose Urquidy, it only makes sense for the Astros to be engaged in talks for Cy Young winner Blake Snell. They sent scouts to watch him throw four innings in a simulated game against a junior college.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 15, 2024
Adding Snell would bring a two-time Cy Young Award winner to a club that is in obvious need but is owner Jim Crane willing to spend the money to sign him?
Snell would require $30 to $32 million annually but Houston a long-term deal would sure up his future. Verlander could become a free agent after this season while Uriquidy and Framber Valdez are under club control for two more years.
If Houston does sign Snell, the club would have to forfeit their third and sixth-highest picks — Nos. 102 and 193 in the next draft and they are still recovering from losing drafted picks after the sign-stealing scandal. That’s a hefty price tag for a team with a less-than-average farm system.
Snell is coming off a season where he led all of Major League Baseball with a 2.25 ERA and just 5.8 hits allowed per nine innings with a career-best 234 strikeouts and stats like that would be a great addition to any team.
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