Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell will hit the free agency market for the second straight year after opting out from his contract with the San Francisco Giants.
Despite coming off a Cy Young campaign with the San Diego Padres, Snell struggled to find a market for a lengthy deal he envisioned signing. He eventually settled on a two-year, $62 million contract with the Giants but received a possibility to opt-out after the first year.
Snell had a rough start with the Giants, having a 9.51 ERA in the first six starts and struggling with injuries. But after spending a stint on the Injured List, he went on a tear and posted a 1.23 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 14 starts. This included a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, which also marked his first complete game.
Overall, Snell finished the 2024 campaign with 20 starts in which he compiled a 5–3 record with a 3.12 ERA and 145 strikeouts.
Snell will now be one of the top pitchers available on the free agent market alongside Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, and he is expected to receive much more interest than he did last offseason. The Giants could still end up signing him to a new deal, considering they need another proven pitcher to complete their rotation.
