Blake Snell, Seattle Mariners Rumors Heat Up After Free Agent Appears at Seahawks Game
Reigning Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is giving Seattle Mariners fans a healthy dose of hope this week.
The free agent pitcher has been making the rounds in his hometown recently, starting with a visit to the University of Washington's Husky Stadium on Wednesday. The next day, Snell made an even more public appearance that has drawn plenty of chatter.
Snell was the Seattle Seahawks' guest of honor for their game against the San Francisco 49ers, earning the privilege of raising the 12th Man flag prior to kickoff.
Naturally, fans were abuzz about the Mariners potentially signing Snell, who spent the past three seasons with the San Diego Padres. Before that, Snell was with the Tampa Bay Rays for five years.
A report from USA Today's Bob Nightengale earlier this month claimed that Snell wanted to sign with Seattle, but that the Philadelphia Phillies were the favorites to reel him in. Since then, however, the Phillies brought back Aaron Nola, opening the door for the Mariners and others to potentially acquire Snell.
Snell won his second career Cy Young this fall, finishing 2023 with a 14-9 record, 2.25 ERA, 1.189 WHIP, 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings and a 6.0 WAR. For his career, Snell is 71-55 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.235 WHIP, 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings and a 21.1 WAR.
The left-hander – who turns 31 years old on Dec. 4 – grew up in Shoreline, Washington. Snell went to high school 13 miles from T-Mobile Park, where he could be playing his home games if he chooses to sign with the Mariners.
It remains to be seen if Seattle is willing to write Snell a big-time check, or what exactly the pitcher is looking for in his next contract. According to Spotrac, Snell's market value has him in line for a six-year, $144 million deal.
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