Is there a new suitor in Snell sweepstakes?

5:27 PM UTC

Blake Snell is now a free agent. MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding the left-handed starting pitcher.

Jan. 14: Blue Jays “quietly monitoring” Snell (report)
There hasn’t been much noise surrounding Snell’s free agency of late as it appears clubs are waiting to see if his asking price will drop. That’s the sentiment expressed by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, who reports that while several clubs remain interested in the prized left-hander, the Blue Jays have been “quietly monitoring” his free agency this winter. 

The Blue Jays have not been previously mentioned as a possible suitor for Snell. Still, their interest is not surprising given that they were one of the finalists for Shohei Ohtani and have been linked to other big-ticket free agents, including Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman. 

Adding the 2023 National League Cy Young Award winner would improve what is already a strength for the club. Blue Jays starting pitchers ranked sixth in fWAR last year (13.5), and all of their key members are under contract except for free agent Hyun Jin Ryu, who made 11 starts in 2023.

Snell is also drawing interest from the Angels, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required). The Yankees and Giants have been mentioned as suitors recently, but their respective agreements last week with Marcus Stroman and Jordan Hicks may have lowered each club’s desire to add arguably the best starting pitcher on the open market.

Jan. 12: Are Yanks and Giants out on Snell?
A few hours after MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that the Yankees extended a contract offer to Snell, the Yanks came to terms on a two-year deal with right-hander Marcus Stroman, per a source. So, are the Yankees out on Snell? Baseball insiders seem to have conflicting viewpoints.

While Ken Rosenthal wrote in The Athletic (subscription required) that this “figures to be [the Yankees’] last major offseason move,” MLB Network insider Joel Sherman said he doesn’t think the move will keep the Yanks from trying to sign Snell if his price falls. Although the particulars of the Yankees’ offer to Snell and what he is asking for are unclear, Heyman wrote that the two sides were “far apart” on a deal.

Snell’s market may have taken another hit Friday when the Giants reached a four-year deal with Jordan Hicks (per a source). According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Hicks is expected to work in the Giants’ rotation after previously serving mostly as a reliever. In a follow-up post on X, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote that the Hicks move “all but officially eliminates any idea that free-agent starter Blake Snell could wind up” with the Giants.

If the Yankees and Giants are indeed no longer pursuing Snell, that could put the Angels in prime position to land the left-hander. Snell has reportedly been one of the Halos’ top targets since they lost Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers earlier this offseason. The Phillies have checked in on Snell as well, per Heyman, though The Athletic’s Matt Gelb (subscription required) reports that they are not interested in signing him or Jordan Montgomery, “barring an unforeseen market collapse.”

Jan. 11: Snell reportedly receives contract offer from Yankees
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports in the New York Post that the Yankees have made “an opening offer” to Snell. The terms are unknown, but Heyman adds there is still a “big gap” between Snell’s asking price and what the Yankees have put on the table.

If Snell joins the Bronx Bombers, the 2023 National League Cy Young Award winner would team up with Gerrit Cole, the 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner. Cole “is on board for Snell,” per Heyman. Although there has been speculation that Snell, a Seattle native, could prefer to sign with a West Coast club, Heyman writes that the Yankees believe the left-hander wants to pitch in New York.

The Giants and Angels could be the Yanks’ main competition for Snell, and the Phillies have also checked in on him.