Angels Predicted to Sign Blake Snell By 2 USA Today Insiders

The Angels' payroll has room to sign the 2023 National League Cy Young winner.

The competition to sign free-agent starting pitcher Blake Snell is still ongoing. With spring training just a couple of weeks away, Snell will have to make a decision soon.

His asking price is high but two USA Today insiders, Bob Nightengale and Jesse Yomtov, predict that the ace could land with the Los Angeles Angels.

"The Angels were aggressive early saying how much they want him, and are now just waiting for his price-tag to dip below $200 million to seal the deal, hoping the Giants don’t swoop in."

Bob Nightengale via USA Today

After an excellent 2023 season, Snell was named the National League Cy Young winner. He won the American League Cy Young with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 and became the seventh pitcher to win the award for both leagues. He joined a legendary list that includes Gaylord Perry, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, Roy Halladay, and Max Scherzer.

After leading MLB in ERA, Blake Snell caps off his incredible season with his second Cy Young Award. pic.twitter.com/YfDHqAhAJ5

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) November 15, 2023

Snell reportedly is asking for a contract of around nine years and $270 million with an average annual value of $30 million.

"It doesn't feel like there's a perfect fit out there for Snell and the Angels' payroll is projected about $150 million for 2024, giving the perpetually-rudderless organization plenty of room to sign the market's top pitcher."

Jesse Yomtov via USA Today

The incumbent San Diego Padres can't afford to sign Snell to a massive contract due to having several star players already on long-term deals and after Shohei Ohtani left the Angels for the Dodgers, the Angels have some room to sign a big star to share the spotlight with Mike Trout.