After Everything, Could Blake Snell Return to the Padres?

Could the Padres just bring the Cy Young Award winner back?

All offseason, the San Diego Padres have shifted their focus to slashing payroll. It has seen them trade away star outfielder Juan Soto and let multiple other players from the 2023 roster walk for more lucrative contracts.

It's a complete change from their previous offseasons, and the front office has deliberately worked to get the payroll to a more comfortable place. Right now, the Padres' estimated payroll sits at $156.8 million, according to Spotrac.

Previous reports were saying that San Diego wanted to have their payroll for next season at around $200 million. If this is accurate, the Padres still have some money to work with. Could this lead to them possibly bringing back starting pitcher Blake Snell?

Snell has been looking for a massive contract on the open market after winning his second Cy Young award last season. He was almost unhittable at times and is in line for a major contract. 

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Snell is looking for a contract of more than $200 million. If this is broken up over five-plus seasons, the Padres could afford to bring him back. 

"Many believe Snell is seeking a deal worth more than $200 million after winning his second Cy Young Award, a figure that hasn’t been out there to this point in the offseason"

Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com

Snell is more likely to get around $30 million a season than $40 million, which would be in the San Diego price range. They have been looking to add more firepower to their starting rotation, and who better than the guy who has led them the last few seasons. 

He has a 2.87 career ERA at Petco Park and would give them a more well-balanced rotation. Alongside Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove, Snell could give San Diego one of the better rotations in baseball once again.

If the Padres do want to bring Snell back, they will be competing for him with a few other teams in California. The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels have been linked with him all winter and could try to up the price.

While it's unlikely that Snell will return next season, the Padres are always looking to make moves that nobody saw coming. This would be the next one, and the fanbase would surely be elated to have him back.