San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros Continue to Be Linked to Top Free Agent Starter After Attending Sim Game
The San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros attended free agent Blake Snell's simulated game in Seattle on Friday as the two teams continue to be linked to him with less than two weeks to go until Opening Day.
Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com on social media:
Blake Snell threw four simulated innings on Friday in Seattle in front of scouts from teams including the Giants and Astros, per source. Those in attendance were said to be impressed with how ready he looks.
We heard on Friday that the Astros could be lurking in the background for Snell, and perhaps their urgency has been ramped up by the recent injury worry regarding Jose Urquidy, who left his spring training start early with arm issues.
Furthermore, the 'Stros are without starting pitcher Luis Garcia for most or all of 2023 because of injury. They are also without Lance McCullers until July in all likelihood and Justin Verlander won't be ready for Opening Day, either.
As for the Giants, they are also dealing with some pitching concerns as Tristan Beck is out indefinitely. Furthermore, the Giants have spent money on Jung-Hoo Lee, Jorge Soler and Matt Chapman this offseason, so they clearly invested on improving upon a fourth-place finish in the National League West last season. Snell would help them further that cause.
Snell is coming off a year in which he went 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA for the San Diego Padres. He won his second Cy Young Award, having also won the AL Cy Young award in 2018 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.
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