The offseason has been abuzz with news of Juan Soto‘s meetings with teams from around the league. However, he’s not the only high-profile free agent generating interest. Another prominent player, left-hander Blake Snell, has been busy meeting with teams, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Snell has recently sat down with contingents from the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, and it appears he’ll have more meetings on the horizon. The Toronto Blue Jays are also actively pursuing Snell, with a meeting potentially in the works, and the Baltimore Orioles may soon join the fray too.
Multiple Teams in Pursuit of Blake Snell
Snell, who turns 32 on December 4, is older than the other top two starters on the market. Left-hander Max Fried, who turns 31 in January, and right-hander Corbin Burnes, 30. But he also has an advantage in the market as the only one of three who is not saddled with a qualifying offer. Whenever he signs, the team will avoid losing at least one draft pick and possibly international bonus pool money too.
The San Diego Padres hit the two-time Cy Young Award winner with a qualifying offer last offseason, making him ineligible to receive another. Instead, Snell signed a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants.
The Red Sox have a pressing need for a top-of-the-rotation starter. A left-hander like Snell would be an ideal fit to balance their all-right-handed rotation, according to Rosenthal. Snell has experience pitching in the highly competitive American League East. Officials from two of his former clubs indicate he’d be comfortable in the high-pressure Boston market.
The Dodgers, fresh off their World Series championship, present an attractive option for Snell. As a Seattle-area native, Snell prefers to stay on the West Coast. A familiar face in the Dodgers’ front office is Andrew Friedman, who was leading the Rays when they drafted Snell 52nd overall in 2011. The Dodgers even made a late push to sign Snell before he joined the Giants. This offseason, Snell might be more appealing to the Dodgers, as his demands are lower and draft-pick compensation is no longer a factor.
As the offseason heats up, Snell’s decision will be on to watch. With his preferences for the West Coast and a competitive team, the Dodgers may have the edge. However, the Red Sox’s pressing need for a top starter and Snell’s comfort in the AL East could make for a compelling alternative.
Main Photo: © Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sport
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