With the baseball season just 11 days away, MLB teams are in a rush to finalize their Opening Day rosters, excluding the upcoming Seoul Series. While many prominent players have already secured contracts for the 2024 season, there remain some talented free agents still seeking a team.
Among them, Blake Snell stands out as perhaps the most accomplished remaining free agent following a flurry of activity in recent months. Despite his impressive track record, Snell and his agent are encountering challenges in securing a suitable contract.
MLB columnist Bob Nightengale reports that the Houston Astros are the latest team to pass on signing the left-handed pitcher. With Justin Verlander beginning the season on the injured list, Houston is in the market for a seasoned arm. However, Snell’s asking price has proven to be a sticking point in negotiations.
According to Nightengale, the Astros are hesitant to meet Snell’s demand of at least a two-year deal worth $60 million, which includes an opt-out clause after the 2024 season. Their primary concern revolves around potentially exceeding another luxury tax threshold if they commit to paying Snell close to $30 million annually.
As the Astros prepare to start the season, they will rely on World Series champions Framber Valdez, Christian Javier, and Jose Urquidy in the starting rotation. With the anticipated return of three-time Cy Young winner Verlander, the team is poised to boast one of the top rotations in the American League.
While there were rumors of interest from the New York Yankees last month, no deal materialized.
Snell, a two-time Cy Young awardee and former All-Star, showcased his prowess last season with the San Diego Padres, finishing with a 14-9 record and an impressive 2.25 ERA. The 31-year-old left-hander also recorded an impressive 234 strikeouts across just 180 innings pitched.
