The 2024 MLB season isn't all that far away, and somehow, the reigning National League Cy Young winner in Blake Snell is still on the free agent market without a team. Snell's free agency saga has dragged on all offseason long, and earlier today it didn't seem like we were particularly close to a resolution with major league games set to get underway in less than two weeks.
That has changed, with the Houston Astros emerging as a serious contender to sign Snell. From The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome:
“The Houston Astros are at it again. In January, they signed closer Josh Hader, the best closer on the free-agent market. Now, according to sources briefed on their discussions, they are engaged in a serious pursuit of left-hander Blake Snell, the best starter on the market.”
Several teams are keeping an eye on Snell, but the Astros are now close to striking on the opportunity given their need for starting pitching. With Justin Verlander set to miss the start of the season, the ‘Stros could do well to add Snell, and rumors began floating around suggesting they were keeping an eye on him as the regular season draws near.
“Facing mounting questions about their depth, the Astros have remained engaged in the starting pitching market, multiple people with knowledge of the team’s plans told The Athletic this week. Given Crane’s already stated affinity for Snell, it stands to reason he may emerge as the club’s top target.” – Chandler Rome, The Athletic
Should the Astros sign Blake Snell?
Snell is fresh off winning the second Cy Young award of his career in 2023 (14-9, 2.25 ERA, 234 K, 1.19 WHIP), but he hasn't received the level of interest expected for one of the top starters on the open market. There is concern over his high walk-rate and a possible regression in the home run column, where he's had great success stranding those walked runners by limiting the long ball. It's clear Snell could be an ace that can lead any rotation, and with Verlander set to hit the injured list, Houston suddenly has an opening that Snell could fill.
The Astros probably aren't the team that needs Snell the most, but if they want to make another World Series run this upcoming season, bringing in another superstar pitcher certainly wouldn't hurt. Pretty much every team has already been linked to Snell this offseason (including the San Francisco Giants, whose scouts joined a group from the Astros to watch Snell throw four simulated innings on Friday), so while Houston fans shouldn't get their hopes up that they will sign him, this is a development that bears watching over the next few days.
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