MLB
Where could Blake Snell be heading next?
The 31-year-old pitcher has not reached an agreement with any MLB team despite having won his second Cy Young award.
Blake Snell remains one of the so-called big shot free agents still without a team in the run-up to the start of the new season in Major League Baseball. The 31-year-old veteran pitcher remains unsigned just a few days before Opening Day despite having obtained his second Cy Young award last year (he won his first in 2018).
The left-handed pitcher maintained a 2.25 ERA, 1.19 WHIP with 234 strikeouts in 180 innings of work last season. He led the majors with 99 walks.
Astros and Yankees closely pursuing Snell
According to the latest reports in the MLB, the Houston Astros remain in an intense pursuit for the left-handed pitcher. Houston were put off by Snell’s lofty wage demands. According to USA Today, he asked for a two-year deal with an opt-out at the end of this season plus $60 million guaranteed - way beyond the Astros’ budget. Even a deal for third of that would take them over the second luxury tax threshold of 30%.
The Astros’ interest intensified after Mexican pitcher José Urquidy withdrew from the game on Friday due to elbow pain. This loss compounds the franchise’s injuries woes, as it is expected that Luis García and Lance McCullers Jr will miss at least the first half of this season while Justin Verlander remains in the casualty room with a shoulder injury.
Another of the interested teams are the Yankees, who had already presented an offer on the table for six years in exchange for 150 million dollars, which was rejected. In the end the Bronx Bombers signed Marcus Stroman. But the loss of their star pitcher Gerrit Cole could take them back to the market.
The San Francisco Giants is another option for Snell although they too would expect him to lower his salary pretensions. Alternatively, Blake Snell could consider taking a year out as a sabbatical, giving himself some free time to think things over before returning in 2025.