One of the season's biggest free agents remains unsigned. Reigning National League Cy Young winner Blake Snell has not yet found a team for 2024.
Throughout the offseason, reports indicate that there's been interest but nothing has materialized into a contract. Recently, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the San Francisco Giants are the favorites to land the two-time Cy Young Award winner,
"The San Francisco Giants are now looming as the favorites for Snell, who have been engaged, but were also waiting for the price-tag to drop."
Early in the offseason, reports surfaced that the New York Yankees offered Snell a six-year, $150 million contract. However, that did not meet his asking price of $200 million.
Then, other clients of Scott Boras, who represents Snell, started signing short-term, high-AAV contracts. This includes Matt Chapman who signed a three-year $54 million contract with the Giants. His contract has opt-outs and buy-outs that make the contract more akin to several one-year deals wrapped into one.
Most recently, the Yankees re-engaged with Snell for a contract after it was revealed that American League Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole would miss up to two months with an elbow injury.
Snell has yet to accept an offer but is now apparently seeking a two-year deal around $60 million with an option for a third year. Enter the Giants who could use Snell's services and have the capital to give to Snell.
However, several weeks ago, Giants general manager Farhan Zaidi indicated that the offseason for the Giants was over. They could make an exception to land one of the game's best left-handed pitchers.
The situation remains fluid, but Snell will soon start to lose any leverage he might have. As the season goes on, he will lose money for each start he misses on a major league roster.
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