San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell got off to a brutal start to the 2024 season after spending nearly the entire offseason on the open market and waiting to sign a free-agent deal until March 27th, but he appears to once again be rounding into form after Saturday’s 15-strikeout performance against the Colorado Rockies.
Snell has always been a second-half pitcher and is reportedly drawing trade interest from one of the league’s best teams.
The NY Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the New York Yankees are among six teams to check in on Snell and gauge SF’s interest in a trade, but added that while the Giants are listening, the team is still just 4.5 games out of a wild card spot and Snell is a member of a starting rotation that is performing well lately, so it’s unclear if the team will be interested in selling.
News: Yankees are among 6 teams to check in on Blake Snell. While Giants listen, Snell turned in uber dominant performance Saturday (15 K), SF starters are killing it now and they’re just 4 1/2 out of WC. Other complications: NYY in top tax bracket and BS $30M 2025 player option
Heyman pointed out that the Yankees’ presence in the top tax bracket could create other complications due to Snell’s $30-million player option for 2025.
Snell didn’t complete five innings in a start until July 9th, but he has four consecutive starts going at least five innings since then and has a 0.75 ERA over that span while giving up just eight hits in 24 innings with 30 strikeouts and seven walks.
Snell’s season-long numbers are still rough as he sports an 0-3 record with a 5.10 ERA, but he traditionally steps it up in the second half, a trend that looks to be continuing after Saturday’s 15 Ks.
Keep an eye out to see if the Giants show any interest in moving the 2-time Cy Young winner.