MLB Rumors: Blake Snell Meets With 2 Teams, Wants Deal Done "Early"

November 22, 2024 ,

Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, has become one of the most sought-after arms in free agency, with the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers already meeting with the left-hander. 

Both teams are eager to bolster their rotations ahead of the 2025 season, and Snell’s dominant second half in 2024—where he posted a 1.23 ERA and a 38.1% strikeout rate over 80.1 innings—has solidified his status as a premier target. 

Snell, 32, is intent on finalizing a deal earlier this offseason after a prolonged free agency last year with the Giants, saying, “I just want to be somewhere that wants me and loves me and will invest in me.”

For the Red Sox, Snell represents a critical addition to a rotation in flux following the departure of Nick Pivetta in free agency and injuries to Garrett Whitlock and Lucas Giolito. 

Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has highlighted the team’s aggressive approach, stating, “It’s time for the Red Sox to deliver a team capable of winning the division.” 

With payroll space below the luxury tax threshold, Boston has the financial flexibility to make a competitive offer. 

Snell would join a young core of arms, including Brayan Bello and Tanner Houck, as the Red Sox aim to reestablish themselves as contenders in the AL East.

The Dodgers also see Snell as a fit for their rotation, which has been plagued by injuries to key players like Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow. 

While the Dodgers face a lot of luxury tax penalties, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, who drafted Snell during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Rays, could lean on their shared history to strengthen negotiations. 

However, a potential $31 million annual salary could inflate Snell’s cost under the luxury tax to $57 million in the first year.

Photo Credit: Katie Stratman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images



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