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Free agent starting pitcher Blake Snell has “multiple” contenders expressing strong interest in signing him, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
According to Nightengale, though the market has not been very active publicly when it comes to Snell, there are several teams quietly still interested in him.
The 2018 Cy Young winner started 32 games for the San Diego Padres last season, posting a 14-9 record with a 2.25 ERA and 234 strikeouts in 180 innings pitched. He’s coming off a 5-year, $50 million contract that he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019.
While several teams still seem to be in the mix for Snell, the New York Yankees likely won’t be landing him. According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the Yankees and Snell were “far apart” on a deal, and it will likely prevent him from suiting up in pinstripes, unless his number drops before the end of free agency.
The San Francisco Giants are also likely out on Snell, Nightengale reported Friday. They are converting Jordan Hicks to a starter, which likely means Snell won’t be getting an offer. The Philadelphia Phillies are another team seemingly out of the mix for Snell because of his price tag, per The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
With those teams likely out, it makes room for a different contender to try to land Snell, though whoever pursues him will likely have to be willing to sacrifice some cap space.
Wherever he lands, Snell is looking to continue his production and compete for a World Series.
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