Why Blake Snell Is Not a Perfect Fit for the Giants Despite Their Dire Need for Stars

The San Francisco Giants have been long eyeing the opportunity to sign leading free agency superstars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani. With the Dodgers’ decision to end the wait for every team on the duo, the Giants are now forced to look at other prospects for their rotation. Lately, they have been reported to have their eyes set on Blake Snell, but is the NL Cy Young winner a fit for San Fran?

Following the exit of Ohtani and Yamamoto, Blake Snell has secured himself as the leading pitcher in the free agency market. The Giants have been on the lookout for promising pitchers since the beginning of this offseason. Snell seems like an obvious choice. But given the team’s history with players over 30, it seems like they might just opt out of going after him.

NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell does not check all the boxes for the Giants

Per NBC Sports, despite winning the NL Cy Young this year with an excellent ERA of 2.25 under his belt, Blake Snell ended this season with a disappointing FIP of 3.44. That might signal a decline in his form beginning next year. Moreover, he doesn’t quite fit the Giants’ quintessential idea of a starting pitcher.

The Giants are notorious for not offering long-term contracts to players aged 30 or older. Analysts predict anywhere around $122 million/5-year or a $200 million/7-year deal for the 31-year-old. And San Fran’s history does not bode well for Snell.

For the ace, it will not make sense to go to any team offering a short-term contract, considering that he is only 4 years away from reaching the threshold of an average baseballer’s retirement age. Even so, there are certain factors that make Snell the best pitching prospect for any team on the lookout for one.

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Blake Snell – a promise in his own

Several other teams, like the Angels, the Red Sox, the Cubs, and the Padres have been linked to go after Snell. A second Cy Young Award at 31 makes him part of an elite club. Especially in a sport where age often brings in a decline in form due to health concerns. But that is not all.

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The abovementioned contract value sums up Snell’s salary to reach anywhere around $24.4 million to $28.5 million a year. It’s a contrast to MLB rookies like Yamamoto, who will earn $27 million per year. Given Blake Snell’s superstar status in MLB and his evident consistency in throws, it remains to be seen which team trumps the ace. Will the Giants make an unprecedented move on him or will they let him go?