The long-awaited free agency saga of Blake Snell has reached its conclusion.
The reigning National League Cy Young Award holder has inked a lucrative two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, as confirmed by a source to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Snell’s decision comes just 10 days before his new team squares off against his former squad, the San Diego Padres, in the upcoming regular season opener. Notably, the deal includes an opt-out clause after the initial season.
Similar to the contractual agreements of fellow Scott Boras clients Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman, Snell’s deal opts for a higher average annual value in exchange for a shorter contract duration. However, it also affords him the opportunity to re-enter free agency after the first year, presumably in anticipation of a more favorable market.
Snell’s acquisition marks the culmination of a bustling offseason for the Giants, a team that has made only one playoff appearance in the past seven years. Under the guidance of three-time Manager of the Year Bob Melvin, the Giants have been fervently bolstering their roster with star power.
Their offseason endeavors include securing Korean sensation Jung Hoo Lee as their new center fielder and leadoff hitter, who signed a substantial six-year, $113 million deal in December. Additionally, they added Jorge Soler, a potent middle-of-the-order bat, through a three-year, $42 million deal in February.
Further reinforcing their pitching rotation, the Giants acquired former Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray, though he won’t be available until the latter half of the season due to recovery from Tommy John surgery. They also made a significant move by signing Jordan Hicks, who will transition into a full-time starting pitcher role.
However, the Giants’ most impactful moves materialized late in the offseason. They secured Matt Chapman on March 1 through a lucrative three-year, $54 million deal, inclusive of two opt-out clauses, before finalizing the acquisition of Snell.
Having spent the past three seasons with the Padres, Snell now returns to a division that witnessed the Los Angeles Dodgers making substantial investments, including notable signings such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow.
Before his recent signing, Snell showcased his prowess by delivering a formidable four-inning simulated game from his hometown of Seattle. Despite interest from several teams, including the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, and New York Yankees, Snell ultimately opted for the Giants’ short-term offer.
Snell’s illustrious career includes the rare achievement of winning the Cy Young Award in both the American League and National League. His latest triumph came in 2023 when he boasted a stellar 14-9 record alongside an MLB-leading 2.25 ERA for the Padres, earning him 28 out of 30 first-place votes.
Renowned for his exceptional pitching repertoire, Snell’s intimidating fastball-breaking ball combination has long mesmerized fans and intimidated opposing batters. Notably, he led the majors last season in the fewest hits per nine innings, conceding a mere 115 hits across 180 innings.
Despite his remarkable talents, Snell’s journey has not been devoid of challenges. Concerns over his past command issues and inconsistency led some teams to approach his free agency with caution. Notably, the season following his first Cy Young win saw his ERA rise to 4.29. Moreover, he topped the major leagues in walks last season with a staggering 99.
The agreement between Snell and the Giants was initially reported by the New York Post, marking a significant development in the MLB landscape.
