3 Teams That Should Benefit From Blake Snell Resigning From The Giants

With the news that Blake Snell is officially refused His deal with the San Francisco Giants will add another strong starting pitcher to the free agent market this winter. Snell has faced reluctance from teams in the past to give him a multi-year contract, but at this point, someone will bite the bullet.

To say Snell has impressed over the last three seasons is an understatement. He recorded a 2.82 ERA over those three years and an otherworldly 12.0 strikeouts per nine innings. After earning his second Cy Young in 2023 and then having another impressive, albeit injury-plagued, season in 2024, it’s time for Snell to get a good deal.

The biggest knock against Snell is his ability to eat pitches. He’s logged more than 130 IP just twice in his nine-year career, and teams are hesitant to pay him big money. When he’s healthy, his production is incredible and these three teams should try to sign him this winter.

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After getting a Cy Young-caliber season from Chris Sale, the Braves are sad that part of their starting rotation will be depleted this winter. Max Fried and the front office have yet to agree on a contract extension, and veteran Charlie Morton is already on his way out.

Reynaldo Lopez was fantastic in 2024, and we hope the Braves get Spencer Strider back healthy soon. So the Braves have a chance to have perhaps the best rotation in baseball if they can get another starter.

With Snell in Atlanta, the Braves will trade Sale, Strider, Snell and Lopez. The Braves were plagued by injuries in 2024, but no one should count them out in 2025. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider are back healthy, putting this team in contention for the National League East title. Adding an arm like Snell could put them over the top. Don’t expect it to be quiet in Atlanta this offseason.

The New York Mets have the dignity of an owner who is happy to spend money, who has a significant amount of money coming into the balance sheet, and a starting lineup that desperately needs to be replenished this offseason. Sean Manea (subject to waivers), Jose Quintana and Luis Severino are all likely to leave, leaving the Mets in critical need of upgrades if they want to return to the postseason next year.

New York is one of the teams that looks like all the big names will be linked to this winter, and rightfully so. As much as they’d love to land Juan Soto, they’ll have to put most of their money toward pitching. Of course, this is the Mets, so there’s no reason to think the team can’t do both. Owner Steve Cohen will be aggressive and try to plug as many roster holes as possible through free agency this winter.

Snell fits the bill for a pitching-starved team that has money to spend, like the Mets. He won’t be their first option in free agency, but if they miss out on names like Corbin Burns or Max Fried, expect to hear about smoke surrounding those two sides.

Another team in win-now mode whose starting rotation will be scrapped is the Cleveland Guardians. With Shane Bieber, Alex Cobb and Matt Boyd set to become free agents this winter, the team will have to spend money if they want to remain competitive. After Cleveland narrowly defeated the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS, the New York Yankees routed the Guardians in five games during the ALCS.

As a small team in the market, the Guardians will have to focus on their starting rotation and make an impactful addition this winter. The AL Central is no longer MLB’s darling, with the Kansas City Royals and Tigers becoming competitive this season. Minnesota is always around, and the Guardians will be left behind if they don’t make a key player. Snell could be the guy to step in and help stabilize the top of the rotation.