Blake Snell’s free-agent saga has finally come to an end.
MLB insider Jon Heyman reported Monday night the two-time Cy Young Award winner has reached an agreement with the San Francisco Giants. The deal is reportedly for two years and $62 million, with an opt-out after 2024.
Snell’s venture into free agency stirred speculation all offseason, beginning with his reported demand for a deal worth up to $270 million. He reportedly turned down a six-year, $150 million deal with the New York Yankees. A number of other teams were said to be interested in the 31-year-old left-hander’s services, including the Angels, Astros, Dodgers, Phillies and a couple of “mystery teams.”
As the MLB season drew ever closer, Snell’s demands dropped down into the two-year range, leaving fans and analysts blaming his agent, Scott Boras for him remaining unsigned. Former MLB star and now agent Gary Sheffield Jr. tweeted Sunday, “So essentially he went from a 7-8 year ask down to a 1-year “I’ll opt out if I pitch well” contract? Nice work, Mr. Boras. A true masterclass.”
Blake Snell went from wanting $200M+ to asking for a 2-year deal at $66M with an opt out after 2024?
So essentially he went from a 7-8 year ask down to a 1-year “I’ll opt out if I pitch well” contract? Nice work, Mr. Boras. A true masterclass.
— Gary Sheffield Jr. (@GarysheffieldJr) March 18, 2024
That’s all behind Snell now and he — and the Giants — can focus on this season. The reigning NL Cy Young winner fills a massive void for the Giants, as he joins Logan Webb, runnerup in CYA voting last year, atop an otherwise shaky rotation.
Snell’s signing also placates Giants fans who have been rumbling about the team’s apparent lack of commitment to signing top free agents. That in itself had raised speculation that top free agents did not want to play in San Francisco because of perceived issues with the city itself. The Giants reportedly offered Shohei Ohtani the same deal he got with the Dodgers.
The MLB world quickly reacted to the Snell news.
Sort of recasts today’s Giants news https://t.co/VGtaeYPgSp
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 19, 2024
This fricken offseason.
Truly wild, full of ups and some pretty nasty downs.
With Snell signed, though, really feels like the player signing part is over with
(Now someone please sign Belt!) https://t.co/WgNK2NucfI
— Ariel B. (@Magnetikat) March 19, 2024
Giants rotation will now be led by the top two finishers in the NL Cy Young race: https://t.co/TtsZFddSCx
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) March 19, 2024
Seems like this would’ve been perfect deal for Jim Crane. I understand the hesitation – high AAV, luxury tax penalties, draft penalties, etc.
That said, the Astros need to add a starting pitcher. Call Boras about Jordan Montgomery. https://t.co/9KbU36zbZP
— Astros Josh (@AstrosJosh) March 19, 2024
A clear and definitive loss for Boras. https://t.co/JvsnNhlhdf
— David P. Samson (@DavidPSamson) March 19, 2024
The Giants are so tired of being snubbed they went for the one guy every other team snubbed https://t.co/LRBEJyLXaX
— Garrett (@TheGarrative9) March 19, 2024
[Jon Heyman, The New York Post]
