MLB Insider Still Thinks Padres Could Bring Back Blake Snell
With the San Diego Padres expected to lose multiple starting pitchers this offseason, the team has some work to do in replacing them. The majority of their staff from last season is on the open market, and they have already lost Nick Martinez to the Cincinnati Reds.
Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller knows that he has some work to do, and will need to figure out a way to duplicate the production from a year ago. But what better way to do that than by re-signing one of the best pitchers available.
MLB insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com has linked the Padres with free agent left-hander Blake Snell. He believes that a reunion could happen, despite all the reporting that says Snell is as good as gone.
"With Snell, Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo on the free-agent market and Nick Martinez agreeing to a deal with the Reds, the Padres are losing 91 starts and 571 innings from their 2023 staff. San Diego is expected to shed some payroll this offseason, but roughly $30 million of that is attached to Juan Soto, who could be traded. Snell won’t be cheap, but retaining their ace could be a big move for the Padres as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season."
Brining back Snell would be a massive move for San Diego, and show that they mean business. The two sides know each other well, and the veteran left-hander remains one of the best in the business.
The reigning National League Cy Young award winner would bolster the Padres rotation, and give them a true ace-level pitcher going forward. It remains to be seen if the team will do what it takes to keep Snell, but it's a possibility for sure.
