When the San Francisco Giants signed Blake Snell to a contract with an opt-out after the first year last offseason, they were aware of the risk of potentially losing him.
A season later, the likelihood of Snell departing has increased significantly.
Initially thought to be returning to the Giants, Snell’s impressive second half of the season now makes it highly probable he will enter free agency.
That said, Snell has expressed a willingness to return to San Francisco, but it would require a new contract, as this may be one of the last opportunities for him to secure the deal he desires.
The market for the two-time Cy Young Award winner is expected to be competitive, with numerous MLB teams needing a pitcher of his caliber.
One such team is the New York Mets, who are expected to invest heavily this offseason.
Mets owner Steve Cohen has a history of pursuing high-profile players, and if Snell is open to playing on the East Coast, he could very well end up in Queens.
Zach Pressnell of FanSided has forecasted where the top free agents will land this offseason, predicting Snell will sign with New York.
“Blake Snell was expected to secure a big contract last offseason, but after his agent Scott Boras stumbled, he ended up with the Giants. This offseason, however, he’s likely to get that significant deal due to his stellar finish. With the Mets having the financial capability, especially if they miss out on Alonso, Snell may not sign until later in the free agency period. New York is in need of top-tier talent, and Snell could be their standout acquisition.”
If the Giants lose their ace, it would add another challenge to an offseason already complicated by a disappointing 2024 season.
Nonetheless, there’s a scenario where they might be able to acquire multiple pitchers for the price of Snell, which could prove beneficial in the long run.
San Francisco will need to consider their options carefully, but finding a replacement for the Seattle native will be a top priority.
Leave a Reply