Blake Snell wants the ball as the San Francisco Giants take on the San Diego Padres in a four-game road series to start the season. Snell, who won the Padres’ National League Cy Young Award the previous season, recently signed a $62 million, two-year contract with the Giants. “We’ll throw a bullpen tomorrow and go from there,” the left-handed Snell stated during the Giants’ first press conference on Wednesday.
Cy Young runner-up in the NL Snell is hoping his arm will be able to pitch one of the other games in San Diego, but Logan Webb will start the opening game against the Padres on March 28. After signing late, Snell will have a shortened spring training since the free-agent market for his talents was quiet. “It took a long time, but we had a good plan and we were committed to it,” Snell stated. “It’s tough, but now that I’m here, I’m focused on being here.”
Snell, 31, said he had been exercising in his hometown of Seattle as part of his regular offseason routine. Snell won his second career Cy Young Award after going 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA in the previous campaign. With the Tampa Bay Rays, he won the American League in 2018. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi had been in talks with Snell’s agent, Scott Boras, for months, even though it took some time to reach an agreement.
“We talked all offseason about adding to the top of our rotation,” Zaidi stated. “We were ecstatic about the initial pitching we did. As a company, we are quite excited. Blake is known to be prepared to go. Snell made 191 career starts for the Rays (2016–20) and Padres (2021–23), compiling a 71–55 record and 3.20 ERA. With the Padres the previous season and the Rays in 2018, he won two ERA championships. Snell will be different, but you’ll recognize the man in the dugout. Snell’s manager with the Padres for the previous two seasons was Bob Melvin, the captain of the New Giants.
“He lets you play,” Snell remarked. “And he holds you accountable.” –Media at the Field Level 2024 Field Level Media Copyright. Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved.
