Left-handed pitcher Blake Snell has chosen to opt out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants, making him a free agent for the second year in a row.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner signed a $62 million, two-year contract in March that included a $17 million signing bonus due on January 15, 2026. His deal had a $15 million salary for 2024 and a $30 million salary for 2025, with $15 million of that being deferred until July 1, 2027.
Snell, 31, had a record of 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 20 starts this season, including a no-hitter against Cincinnati on August 2, one of only 16 shutouts in the majors this year. He struck out 145 batters and walked 44 in 104 innings.
He faced injuries this season, being out from April 19 to May 22 due to a strained left adductor and again from June 2 to July 9 because of a strained left groin.
Snell won Cy Young Awards in 2018 while with Tampa Bay and in 2023 with San Diego. In his nine seasons with the Rays (2016-2020), Padres (2021-2023), and Giants, he has a record of 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA.
Since Snell declined a qualifying offer from San Diego last November, the Giants cannot make him a qualifying offer this offseason, which means they will not receive draft-pick compensation if he signs with another team.
