The Tampa Bay Rays have been fielding calls about a potential trade involving Blake Snell, the 2018 Cy Young winner. Given the financial losses the Rays endured during the pandemic-impacted 2020 season, trading the 27-year-old represents the club’s best chance to create some much-needed flexibility.
The Rays are a brilliantly run organization, who have dominated in making trades. The last time the Rays traded a young, high-profile starting pitcher, was on July 31, 2018. The Rays traded Chris Archer to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows and Shane Baz. The Rays dominated this trade in a landslide, as Chris Archer went downhill ever since. Add on the fact that the Rays got Austin Meadows, one of the best DH’s, and Tyler Glasnow, an amazing and young pitcher.
Blake Snell
Blake Snell has been inconsistent ever since winning Cy Young, but has still proven that he has ace-level talent. For many MLB teams, trading for Snell is very risky, as the Rays seem to make sneaky good trades. But for others, trading for Snell is a no-brainer, as Snell’s average annual contract value is $13 million, which allows teams to sign another ace. For example, the Mets can trade for Blake Snell, and still be able to sign J.T Realmuto, among other expensive Free Agents. Snell is set to earn $10.5 million in 2021, $12.5 million in 2022, and $16 million in 2023.
Buyers should obviously be aware simply because Tampa is willing to trade Snell. But if teams are satisfied that there is nothing physically wrong with Snell, exploring a trade would make a lot of sense. The Rays already lost Charlie Morton this offseason, as they declined his $15 million option. It will be interesting to see what the Rays do with their rotation if they do trade Snell.
Seattle Mariners
Should Snell be on his way out of Tampa Bay, his preferred destination would likely be Seattle, his hometown. The Seattle Mariners have shown interest in Snell, and the Rays probably have interest in trading with them. The Mariners have the No. 4 farm system in the game, according to MLB Pipeline, giving the Rays plenty of ammunition to make a trade. Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto actually has a lengthy trade history with Erik Neander (GM) of the Rays, making this trade even more likely to happen.