Padres News: Blake Snell Hopes to Re-Sign with San Diego in Offseason
As the Padres engage in a last-ditch effort to avoid elimination from the National League Wild Card, a recent USA TODAY Sports news break, courtesy of Bob Nightengale, provides an interesting update for what is sure to be a dramatic offseason for the Padres.
Currently, San Diego holds two of baseball's best pitchers on their roster in reliever Josh Hader and starting pitcher Blake Snell. Hader has 28 saves on the year, boasting a 1.16 ERA. Snell, who is currently the favorite to win the NL Cy Young award according to Covers, holds a 2.50, the best ERA among starting pitchers, and a 1.25 WHIP.
Both, however, are set to become free agents at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Luckily for the Padres, it seems that Snell would like to stick around in San Diego.
"San Diego Padres Cy Young candidate Blake Snell tells USA TODAY Sports he wants to stay in San Diego when he hits free agency, but has yet to engage with the front office on a potential contract extension," Nightengale wrote. "He likely will be the No. 1 pitcher on the free-agent market."
(Via USA TODAY Sports)
If Snell does indeed want to stay with the Padres, the front office should do everything in their power to make that happen. They have already proven that they are willing to spend top dollar on players they think can improve their chances of winning. Snell fits that exact mold.
If the Padres are to make the playoffs, which would be a pretty big shock at this point in the season, it will be due largely in part to Snell's contributions from the mound. Bringing Snell back for the long term future would be integral to the Padres' rebounding next year after an utterly disappointing 2023 season.
