Padres News: Amid Rumors, Blake Snell Hopeful He Can Stay in San Diego
With 12 days until the trade deadline, the San Diego Padres are clinging on to their playoff hopes. And, with rumors of financial uncertainty stemming from Bally Sports and parent company Diamond Sports which paying for broadcasting rights amid bankruptcy issues, things are lining up for the Friars to end up selling off assets before the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
Blake Snell is viewed as a leading candidate to be traded since he is set to enter free agency after the season. But he appears hopeful that won't be the case.
First, in 2023, Snell has 6 wins and 8 losses with a 2.67 ERA, and most contending teams want and need starting pitching. However, Snell doesn’t want to leave San Diego.
Padres radio host Sammy Levitt reported Snell's feelings in a tweet on Thursday.
While the conventional wisdom tells baseball fans the Padres are sellers, Snell disagrees.
“I think we’re buying. That’s what I feel like. I just feel like we gotta keep winning. This was a good series to win. I was really hoping to win today.”
Does Snell have any inside information? He says no. Instead, as Levitt reports, he's more hopeful that he can see it through with the club this season.
“I mean, not from anyone, high up in the org,” Snell said. “My family, they all want us buying. I love it here, and I ain’t trying to go anywhere. I’d rather just stay here, and see what happens,” the former Cy Young Award winner said. “I’d rather finish this year here and see what happens.”
Since Snell is a short-term rental, many teams will want him. He has postseason experience, including the 2020 World Series. In 2022, the Padres depleted its minor league system with the Juan Soto trade. This season, the Padres lost their TV deal, and MLB took over the telecasts. It will be interesting to see if Snell is with the Padres on August 2nd. If Snell is a Padre after the trading deadline, the front office certainly thinks the team can make the playoffs.
