Angels Exit the Blake Snell Sweepstakes? Billionaire Owner Looking At Budget Pitchers Despite Devastating Shohei Ohtani Exit

Things are going from bad to worse for the Los Angeles Angels. Though the same could be said about the free agency of Blake Snell, the Halos’ bad luck is unmatched. Not only have they lost Shohei Ohtani but the club also hasn’t covered the massive holes in their squad. Things looked to be changing when some links developed with Snell but the situation has turned complicated.

While Snell’s sweepstakes have lost a little steam lately, the Angels’ potential exit would reduce his suitors to a dangerously low number. After a top insider’s surprising account, are the Halos officially ducking out from the battle for Snell?

The Angels’ links with Blake Snell at risk of cooling down

In a New York Post article, Jon Heyman recently wrote that “Angels owner Arte Moreno is said to be “in the weeds” on the big pitchers. That suggests a possible course reversal is possible, but for right now they aren’t in hot pursuit of the big guys.” The big guys in this instance are Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. 

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale was among many insiders who had predicted that Snell could fall into the Angels’ laps. His reasoning was simple – the Halos provided a relatively comfortable environment to the pitcher. But with this latest update, that connection seems to be on shaky ground.

Throughout this offseason, the Halos have made relatively low-key pitching signings. What the team needs is a strong addition to their rotation, even if no one can effectively replace the two-way star they’ve lost. With a farm system extremely short on talent, free agency becomes Anaheim’s only option. But it looks like the team isn’t interested. While things can always change, would Snell remain a free agent by the time the Halos change their mind?

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Even though Snell’s free agency is continuously stretching itself, there’s still significant interest left for the Cy Young winner.

SnellZilla’s thinning sweepstakes still has some life in it

Despite the Angels’ potential exit, Snell still has the San Francisco Giants and possibly the New York Yankees left in the market. While the Bronx Bombers can now count on Marcus Stroman in their rotation, the links with Snell haven’t been eliminated. However, reports have indicated that the ace rejected their first $150 million offer.

So for now there’s at least one clarity – Blake Snell wants a contract that’s higher than $150 million for five years. With the Cy Young winner looking for an expensive deal, will his sweepstakes remain as big as now or will they thin even more?

Read more: Blake Snell’s Free Agency Set to Extend Past Spring Training? Scott Boras Plays Waiting Game, Eyes Mega Deal