The enigmatic lefty ace Blake Snell sits in a curious limbo of a dragged-out free agency. His talent is undeniable, punctuated by a Cy Young Award and postseason heroics. Yet whispers of durability concerns follow him like an unwanted shadow, leaving teams hesitant to commit to a long-term contract. Amidst the doubts, Snell’s agent, Scott Boras, throws down a compelling counterpoint: aren’t teams prioritizing elite talent over proven innings in the modern MLB landscape?

Boras isn’t peddling unquestioning optimism. He readily acknowledges Snell’s historical inconsistencies with innings pitched. However, he paints a contrasting picture with recent free agent deals, challenging the narrative. Look at Tyler Glasnow, Jacob deGrom, and Carlos Rodón, he argues. None boast extensive four-year innings tallied before signing lucrative deals.

Is Blake Snell’s talent worth betting on compared to other top guns? Boras weighs in

Glasnow? 310 and ⅔, yet he clinched a $136.5 million extension. deGrom? 434 and ⅓, smoothly swept away by a $185 million deal. Rodón? A mere 355 and ⅔, locked down with a $162 million offer. Yet, their talent, like Snell’s, transcends mere longevity. The LA Dodgers, Texas Rangers, and NY Yankees saw it, betting millions on flashes of brilliance over consistent volume.

And it’s not just Boras singing this tune. In his insightful The Athletic report, Ken Rosenthal highlights Snell’s recent resurgence, emphasizing Boras’s points further. Since recovering from an injury in 2022, Snell has strung together 59 starts back-to-back, with over 530 innings pitched in total across the last four seasons—a testament to his resilience.

Granted, comparing him to legendary innings-eaters like Old Hoss Radbourn is premature. But in an era where six-inning outings are a rarity, perhaps focusing solely on raw innings is outdated. Some teams, Boras contends, will recognize the value in Blake Snell’s potent arsenal and the innings he already delivers, overlooking those he doesn’t.

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One thing’s for sure: Boras’ argument plants a provocative seed in the minds of MLB front offices, forcing them to reconsider the equation for evaluating elite pitching talent in the modern game. This isn’t the first time Boras has employed such comparative tactics, especially regarding Snell.

From All-Star snub to Randy Johnson, Boras champions Snell’s talent 

Throughout Blake Snell’s career, his agent, Scott Boras, has been a staunch advocate, showering him with praise and drawing lofty comparisons. In 2023, when Snell missed out on an All-Star selection, Boras voiced his disappointment to The New York Post, highlighting Snell’s stellar 2.85 ERA (third best in the NL), lowest hit rate (6.52 H/9), and strikeout prowess (12.12 K/9) as evidence of his All-Star caliber. Boras even questioned if free agency status played a role in the snub.

Boras’ enthusiasm for Snell extends back to his Tampa Bay days. In 2020, he told the Tampa Bay Times, “We consider him an elite performer… at the beginning of his career,” commending his skill level and potential. More recently, Boras ventured into daring comparisons, drawing a parallel between Snell and the legendary Randy Johnson in one of this month’s The Post articles.

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He acknowledged the control concerns but pointed to Johnson’s late-career command improvement and Snell’s dominant 2023 (league-leading opponent OPS of .470) as reasons for optimism. These effusive pronouncements paint a picture of Boras as a firm believer in Blake Snell’s talent and potential, ready to champion his cause.