Blake Snell’s free company was one of many high — and most drawn-out — storylines of the 2023-24 offseason. After lingering available on the market effectively into spring coaching regardless of having simply received his second Cy Younger Award, he inked a two-year, $62MM cope with the Giants that affords him the flexibility to choose out and return to the open market once more this offseason (this time and not using a qualifying supply). Snell’s determination to finally choose a two-year pact with San Francisco got here months after a reported overture from the Yankees, who pivoted to signal Marcus Stroman after Snell rejected a longer-term supply.
On the time, MLB.com reported that the Yankees had put forth a six-year, $150MM supply to Snell, which he purportedly spurned in hopes of touchdown a lengthier deal. Snell himself was requested in regards to the reported phrases in a latest look with hosts Scott Braun, A.J. Pierzynski and Cameron Maybin on Foul Territory (video hyperlink). Whereas the two-time Cy Younger winner declined to delve into specifics, he acknowledged in no unsure phrases that the numbers which grew to become public weren’t correct.
“The deal that got here out — that wasn’t what was supplied to me,” stated Snell. “I can say that. … What they supplied wasn’t near that.”
Snell understandably wasn’t eager on going into specifics, which is widespread observe for gamers and executives alike when discussing free-agent curiosity. (Though Teoscar Hernandez notably divulged the Purple Sox’ supply to him in a latest interview.) At this level, the specifics matter little; Snell appeared like a long-shot to hitch the Yankees as soon as they added Stroman and pushed themselves into the highest tier of luxury-tax penalization, which means Snell would’ve include a 110% tax hit (thus making his present $31MM AAV an expenditure north of $65MM). He signed with the Giants, and after a disastrous and injury-marred begin to his San Francisco tenure, he appears to be like largely again to Cy Younger kind.
Snell’s upcoming participant possibility will mark a captivating determination. If he continues at his present post-IL tempo or anyplace close to it (33 innings, 0.55 ERA, 36.3 Ok%, 8.8 BB%), he’ll certainly flip down that second yr and search for a long-term pact. He’s lately blanked the Rockies whereas punching out 15 batters over six frames and, in fact, threw a no-hitter in opposition to the Reds his final day out. Nonetheless, if he begins to wrestle or incurs additional accidents, there’ll be extra consideration given to the second season of the contract. Few finishes in baseball will probably be extra intriguing to observe than that of Snell.
Another notes from the Nationwide League West division…
- The Dodgers lately promoted catching prospect Dalton Dashing from Double-A to Triple-A and his new group appears to return with a brand new project. Oklahoma Metropolis supervisor Travis Barbary says Dashing will solely be enjoying left subject for now, per broadcaster Alex Freedman on X. The transfer is probably going associated to the truth that the Dodgers received’t have any enjoying time obtainable behind the plate for some time. Will Smith lately signed an extension that runs by means of 2033. He’s primarily locked into the backstop function as a result of Shohei Ohtani would be the designated hitter by means of 2033 whereas Freddie Freeman has first base locked up by means of 2027. Even after buying and selling Thayron Liranzo within the Jack Flaherty deal, the Dodgers have two high 100 catching prospects in Dashing and Diego Cartaya, however Cartaya is taken into account the higher defender with Dashing thought of higher on the plate. It’s been speculated that the membership would possibly deal from this catching surplus but it surely additionally appears they’re experimenting with Dashing at different positions to enhance his possibilities of cracking the roster. He has logged some first base time in addition to 35 innings in left subject in Double-A and he now appears set so as to add to that whole at Triple-A. Earlier than the promotion, he hit 17 house runs in 77 Double-A video games and drew walks in 11.4% of his plate appearances, slashing .270/.378/.512 for a wRC+ of 147. If he can generate that sort of offense within the majors or something near it, his bat will play at any place.
- Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela goes to start a rehab project on Thursday, per Patrick Lyons of Simply Baseball on X. The righty underwent Tommy John surgical procedure simply over a yr in the past, in July of 2023. His return received’t have a big impact on this season because the Rockies are 42-72, forward of solely the lowly White Sox. However getting again on the mound earlier than the offseason can be a pleasant growth because the membership appears to be like to have a a lot stronger rotation in 2025 that might include Senzatela, Germán Márquez, Kyle Freeland, Cal Quantrill, Austin Gomber and Ryan Feltner. Senzatela and Márquez each underwent Tommy John surgical procedure final yr and have missed most of this season whereas Freeland additionally missed a few months on account of a left elbow pressure. Márquez was reinstated final month however went again on the IL on account of elbow irritation.