Blake Snell landing in LA wasn’t the surprise—the Dodgers needed arms. But why didn’t he stay with the Giants? That comes out of the syllabus. His latest revelation is about to rattle the MLB world. Did San Francisco fumble their $182 million ace? And now, with Snell out of the picture, who steps up for their rotation?

In 2024, Snell signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the Giants. He pitched in 20 games with the Giants in 2024, recording a 5-3 record, a 3.12 ERA, and 145 strikeouts.

In addition, he posted a 3.1 fWAR, 1.05 WHIP, and 44 walks—solid numbers despite a season that included two stints on the injured list and paternity leave. That kind of absence might not have thrilled the Giants, but his performance spoke for itself. The 2x Cy Young winner still had enough left in the tank to warrant retention. If there were any doubts about his value, the Dodgers erased them—signing him to a five-year, $182 million deal.

Well, it also came as a surprise for Snell not to get retained by the Giants. “It was surprising… I thought they liked me,” Snell added in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle. So, there was no communication between the team and Snell? “I texted Bob (Melvin), and he didn’t reply… so I kind of had a feeling,” Snell said about how he tried to reach out to the Giants manager, Bob Melvin, but went unanswered. Financial reason? If the Giants wanted Snell back on the team, they could afford to pay him $182 million over five years.

The Giants’ strategy sans Blake Snell

Some talented young pitchers in the Giants’ pipeline are rising through the ranks, so Buster Posey and his new front office may have decided that the development route was the best choice to free up resources for other positions, such as shortstop. Well, considering the situation of the Giants’ starters, it would not be surprising to see the resources for Snell get used to get a few sluggers. “I would go get a couple guys on defense that can hit a little bit. That would make the team better. I would probably not go after Blake Snell,” said the former Giants first baseman J.T. Snow. 

Although the Giants have a strong ace in Logan Webb, whose throwback style could be a game-changer, the team’s overall quality may not be enough for a deep playoff run. However, if the ongoing spring season is considered, the Giants might make a mark this year. For the unversed, the Giants’ pitchers have thrown 105 innings in the spring, striking out 120 batters and walking just 26. Henceforth, the Giants’ pitching staff is considered to be “middle of the pack” and not necessarily strong enough to compete at the top level. Can Webb be at the level of Snell? Time will answer. 

Losing out on Blake Snell may prove detrimental for the Giants going forward. However, for the Dodgers, it’s better late than never. They are all set to field Snell at his best. 

Do you think snubbing Snell will prove fatal for the Giants? Let us know in the comment section below.