Houston Astros Exec Has Ridiculous Take On Blake Snell's Contract

Reggie Jackson gave an absurd explanation for why the Houston Astros passed on Blake Snell this offseason.

Reggie Jackson gave an absurd explanation for why the Houston Astros passed on Blake Snell this offseason. / Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Given all the injuries to their starting rotation, the Houston Astros are probably regretting not signing a big-name starting pitcher last offseason. Despite having the opportunity to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery and others, the Astros ultimately passed on all of them, signing closer Josh Hader to a record-setting contract instead.

While Houston couldn't have anticipated the plague of injuries that would befall its rotation, it's impossible to have too much pitching depth, especially in the rotation. Pitchers get hurt all the time, and based on who the Astros have had to use during the first few weeks of the season, they clearly weren't prepared.

Worse, Snell and Montgomery didn't sign until late March, by which point Houston already knew about the injuries to Justin Verlander and Jose Urquidy. But rather than sign a proven veteran to an affordable short-term contract, the front office opted to do nothing.

Reggie Jackson, who's now a senior advisor in the Astros' front office, explained in an interview with Jon Heyman why they ultimately passed on Snell.

Reggie tells us here why his Astros didn’t sign Snell. “We don’t play that game.” Reggie talks A’s, Yanks, Bregman. Altuve in full cast. Praise for Volpe, concern for pitchers

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— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 12, 2024

"Being fiscally responsible, I think, is what kicked us out of the Snell deal," the former New York Yankees legend said. He also called Snell's two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants "too much" and bemoaned its attached incentives and options.

If Jackson really feels that way, he needs to get with the times. A two-year deal for the reigning NL Cy Young winner is an incredible bargain, especially considering that Snell is only 31 and throws left-handed. His track record is inconsistent and he's dealt with some injuries, but he's won two Cy Young awards and is a proven ace.

The "fiscally responsible" comment doesn't make much sense either, given that Houston gave $95 million to a closer and extended its 33-year-old second baseman for $125 million. Both of those contracts were much more expensive and are arguably riskier investments.

The Astros weren't willing to pony up for Snell, and now they're paying the price.