Padres Rumors: Unlikely AL Squad Emerging as Potential Landing Spot for Blake Snell

Blake Snell put together a special season for the San Diego Padres in 2023. He ended up

winning the National League Cy Young Award and helped keep the team afloat while they struggled to an 82-win season that fell far short of expectations.

Snell was virtually unhittable at times last season. He finished with a 2.25 ERA and a WHIP of 1.19. He made 32 starts, demonstrating his durability, and now is expected to receive a very heavy payday on the open market.

The Padres have been trying to slash payroll this offseason, so there's a good chance Snell doesn’t return in 2024. He has served them well since he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in December 2020 for minor leaguers Blake Hunt, Cole Wilcox, Francisco Mejia, and Luis Patino.

Wherever he goes, Snell will instantly help his team's rotation.

While it’s unlikely the Padres can retain Snell, he's been talking to a team that would scarcely ask him to move. That would be the Los Angeles Angels, who desperately need help in their starting rotation.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported the news of the two sides having talks.

Source: The Angels have had recent dialogue with Blake Snell, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.

Of note: Since the Angels aren't viewed as a strong candidate to sign Yamamoto, they don't need to wait on Yamamoto's choice to act in the pitching market. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 19, 2023

If the Angels were to land Snell, he would instantly become the ace of a staff lacking one with the departure of Shohei Ohtani. The Halos' rotation is relatively young and unproven, and general manager Perry Minasian has been wanting to make a splash this winter.

The Angels have never been shy about shelling money out at free agents, so they could be a legitimate threat to sign Snell. He is projected to fetch $200 million in his next contract, and the Angels could be one of few teams with a real interest in meeting that number.

Although they might not be seen as contenders for next season, the Angels would allow Snell to stay close to his West Coast home. Signing any 31-year-old pitcher to a long-term contract comes with risk, but Snell showed last season that he might have a few years left in his prime.