After swinging a trade for left-hander Robbie Ray, the San Francisco Giants might still be searching for starting pitching. But that search almost certainly will not end in Blake Snell wearing a Giants uniform.
Despite adding a second Cy Young Award to his resume in 2023, Snell's next deal is likely to be a big one. Too big for San Francisco apparently, who do not anticipate being in on Snell unless his price drops dramatically, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
It's rumored that Snell is asking for a contract in excess of $200 million. But his dominant 2023 season may not be enough for some teams to meet his asking price. Clubs are reportedly weary of Snell's ability to handle the scrutiny of a large market.
Others worry about his potential workload as a 31-year old who has never pitched eight innings in a start.
With teams such as the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies wary of meeting Snell's demands, his free agency might extend through a portion of spring training.
Giants need old Ray
After missing out on big-ticket free agents Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Giants instead turned their sights on the trade market to bolster their 2024 rotation. That resulted in them swinging a trade to bring Ray to the Bay Area from the Seattle Mariners.
The Giants are banking on Ray returning to his 2021 form, when he captured the AL Cy Young Award as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Ray then left for the Mariners in free agency on a five-year, $115 million deal.
But his time in Seattle was disappointing. Ray posted a 12-12 record in 2022 with a league average ERA+. His 2023 was wiped out by Tommy John surgery after just one start.
The Giants will need Ray to step up and lead their rotation this season. Even more so if they are indeed out in the Snell Sweepstakes.
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