Blake Snell Rumors: NL Competitor Has Padres Ace ‘Atop Their Wish List’ in Free Agency

San Diego would be wise to keep him.

After rumors of trading him at the deadline came to pass, Padres Cy Young candidate Blake Snell may have some serious suitors come this winter. 

The soon to be free agent is already a top priority for at least one other NL team who's been struggling this season. 

The Cardinals will pursue at least three starting pitchers in trades and free agency, president John Mozeliak said, with Julio Urias of the Dodgers, Blake Snell of the Padres and Aaron Nola of the Phillies sitting atop their wish list.

via Bob Nightengale, USA Today

Since joining Southern California from the Rays after the 2020 season, Snell has put together his best season for the Friars in 2023. 

Pitching 136 innings for the Padres, Snell has compiled an ERA under 3 with 176 strikeouts in his best season since his Cy Young win for Tampa Bay in 2018. 

Snell also famously was on the mound for game 6 of the 2020 World Series, taken out by then manager Kevin Cash despite a pitch count under 80 and largely dominating a potent Dodger offense up to that point. 

Losing that series, Tampa Bay would trade the Seattle native to the Padres where he's been one of their brightest stars this season. 

Though individual hardware would be nice for the lefty, Snell would prefer to finish what the team started from their 2022 NLCS appearance. 

Unlikely to make the playoffs at this point in the season. Snell earning another Cy Young, in the National League this time, would aid his own pursuits as he thinks about his future, possibly with another team. 

Whether it's in St. Louis, San Diego or another location, Snell is currently a Padre and will continue to pitch his best with the Friars no matter how long he has left at Petco.