Blake Snell Rumors: NL East Squad Emerging as Suitor For Former Padres Ace
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as a potential suitor for former San Diego Padres ace Blake Snell.
Nightengale wrote that the Phillies would potentially bring him in "only on a one-year or short-term contract."
The news isn't completely a surprise. The Athletic's Jayson Stark reported back in November that the Phillies "appear to be just lukewarm on" the 31-year-old pitcher. Ostensibly they weren't the only team.
More than two weeks into spring training, Snell remains a free agent. While most other major league pitchers — and many Scott Boras clients — have found homes for 2024, Snell is waiting by his phone.
Philadelphia remains on the outside looking in on Snell, as other baseball experts believe he will end up with the San Francisco Giants or Los Angeles Angels.
With Opening Day on the horizon and a long-term pact worth more than $200 million looking increasingly unlikely, it’s possible Snell would be open to a deal like the contracts fellow Scott Boras clients Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman recently signed. Bellinger inked a three-year contract with the Cubs that gives him the ability to opt out after each of the first two seasons. Chapman, meanwhile, signed a one-year deal with the Giants that includes player options in 2025 and '26 (as well as a '27 mutual option).
Snell, the reigning National League Cy Young winner, went 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA last season with the Padres. He reportedly wanted more than $200 million, but that seems increasingly unlikely to happen with each day that passes.
The last week has seen two Boras clients, outfielder Cody Bellinger and third baseman Matt Chapman, sign three-year contracts with opt-outs after the first and second years.
Snell could settle for a similar deal in the days or weeks to come. It sounds as if that was the kind of contract the Phillies' front office had in mind for Snell all along.
