Padres Rumors: Blake Snell Surprisingly Snubbed as Top Free Agent Pitcher This Offseason
San Diego witnessed a masterclass season from their ace Blake Snell who is set to win the Cy Young award in a contract year.
The Seattle native now welcomes a vast free agent market for his services but one writer still believes he isn't the top pitcher on the open market this winter for a few reasons.
"He notoriously issues more than his fair share of walks and has only pitched into the eighth inning five times in his career, never once finishing that frame. But for the innings that Snell and his often elevated pitch count are able to toe the rubber, he has been equal parts effectively wild and wildly effective. Snell turns 31 this December, so he could be headed for another half-decade-long contract. But compared to the five-year, $50 million deal he agreed to the year after winning that first Cy Young, this next contract could be worth at least three times as much."
Snell remains the top American pitcher on the market for his 2023 yet lags behind Japanese superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the international pool.
The Orix Buffalo dominated another year in the top flight of his homeland's league and now awaits significant contract offers from American teams hungry for his services.
Yamamoto deserves credit in his own right but several high-profile Japanese free agents before him have flamed out when crossing over to MLB.
Meanwhile, Snell will join some very exclusive company with Cy Young awards in multiple leagues after his 2.25 ERA and 234 strikeouts over 180 innings this season.
Playoff baseball wasn't in the cards for San Diego yet the 30-year-old lefty certainly won off the field.
Bidding wars for both aces will start in the coming months but the Padres' best arm from last year is our pick for the top option for any rotation that needs him.
