Former Padres star officially enters free agency

Former San Diego Padres pitcher Blake Snell has officially opted out of his contract to become a free agent this season, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today. After an extended free period, Snell signed with the San Francisco Giants last March on a two-year, $62 million contract that included an opt-out clause after the first year. Snell chooses to adopt that clause.

Could this mean a return to San Diego for Snell?

Snell pitched for the Padres from 2021 to 2023. He started his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, made his Major League debut in 2016 and was traded to San Diego in December 2020.

Snell had his best season pitching for the Padres in 2023 and put together an excellent campaign before becoming a free agent. During the 2023 season, Snell started a career-high 32 games. He went 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA and a career-high 234 strikeouts. Snell led the National League in Wins Above Replacement, and finished second in the NL in strikeouts. He led MLB in ERA and won the Cy Young award for the second time in his career.

The 31-year-old had the option to remain in San Diego last season, but he turned down the Padres’ $20.25 million qualifying offer in November 2023. After an ongoing free agency saga that saw him linked to multiple teams, Snell officially signed with the Giants.

During the 2024 season, Snell got off to a rough start. Through his first six starts of the year, Snell posted a 9.51 ERA. He allowed at least three earned runs in each of those starts, and also missed time due to injury and paternity leave.

After the All-Star break, Snell became hot again. He posted a 1.23 ERA after the break and scored strikeouts. After the All-Star Game, Snell allowed three earned runs in just one game, and no earned runs in five starts. He struck out a career-high 15 in a July 27 game against the Chicago White Sox, and had at least 10 strikeouts in five different starts after the break. The highlight of the season came in his start on August 2 against the Cincinnati Reds, when Snell threw his first career no-hitter.

Would the Padres pursue him?

At his peak, Snell is easily one of the best pitchers in the MLB. They didn’t give him the offer he was looking for after deciding to significantly reduce the team’s payroll and let Snell walk. This season, however, the Padres know they are in World Series contention and will also be without Joe Musgrove after he underwent Tommy John surgery. Will this be enough to bring Snell back?