Giants Feared Blake Snell Wanted to Go to Angels in Free Agency

What could've been?

This past offseason was not an eventful one for the Los Angeles Angels. The Halos lost more than they gained, and they were unable to capitalize on some top-tier free agents. One top-notch free agent they failed to sign was 2023 NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell. 

Snell signed with the San Francisco Giants earlier this week and will pitch in the NL West once again. However, the Giants weren't always the top destination for Snell; in fact, San Francisco feared Snell would want to be an Angel in this free agency.

Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area elaborated on it in his latest column. 

The Giants always knew Snell was comfortable on the West Coast, but at times they feared that might lead him to sign a long-term deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Snell had other opportunities for more guaranteed money, but is betting on himself after a month of speculation that perhaps wasn't as anxious as outsiders might have thought.

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Alex Pavlovic, via NBC Sports Bay Area 

Snell signed with the Giants for two years, $62 million. The Halos could have easily matched that or maybe surpassed that total. Instead, the Halos front office sat on their hands and watched another top-level free agent go by. 

The Angels severely needed a top ace-level pitcher on the market, and they'll likely enter the season without adding one. It's been a rough offseason for the Angels, and with a little over a week until the start of the 2024 season, the Halos rotation doesn't look too promising. 

The Giants viewed the Angles as a threat, but it's likely the Halos weren't even in the race.