Another weekend and another rumor has been released connecting the Phillies to a big-name free agent.
This time, the Phillies have been linked to Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young award winner, coming off a stellar season in San Diego.
Does Snell Fit the Phillies?
Does a reigning Cy Young winner fit a World Series contending team?
It almost sounds like a joke and not a serious question, but for the Phillies, it could be the reality of the situation.
The Phillies have a starting rotation of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Taijuan Walker, and Cristopher Sanchez. In 2023, the Phillies pitching staff led all of baseball in WAR with 17.7. They led the next-best team, the Minnesota Twins, by 1.2.
WAR doesn’t mean everything, but the idea that the Phillies were the best in baseball shows how well their starters performed last year. Should they mess with that success to add in Blake Snell?
The Cost of Doing Business
Blake Snell has been linked to the Phillies several times this off-season. His chances of coming to Philly were slim after the team re-signed Aaron Nola. However, with Snell’s free agency taking him deep into Spring Training, he is rumored to be willing to sign a short-term contract.
I would expect that deal to be around the $22 million dollar mark if for just one season. The Major League Baseball qualifying offer was $20.325 million dollars. Blake rejected that offer from San Diego, so I do not see him signing for any less that that.
If he were added to the team, the Phillies would have to get creative with how their starting rotation would play out.
6 Man Rotation
After the trade deadline, we saw the Philies employ a 6-man with the above mentioned starters, as well as Michael Lorenzen.
This was conducted to try and give the starter’s rest. After pitching deep into 2022, the Phillies had to make sure they weren’t running into injury concerns with their top guys. The move paid off ultimately, as the starting rotation was masterful in the post-season once more.
If Blake Snell were to join the club, the Phillies could once again emplore this concept. It would keep their starting arms fresh, but would require the bullpen to work a little harder. You could use a guy like Cristopher Sanchez in a split role between the rotation and the ‘pen, thanks to his experience in both roles.
Potential Trade
Teams are always looking for pitching and the Phillies seem to have a surplus of it. It is never a bad idea to have MLB caliber arms ready at your disposal, but if the Phils can turn that value into other needs, it could be worth it.
Cristopher Sanchez is a young and controllable left handed starter. He would certainly hold some weight in terms of a deal. Taijuan Walker is an established veteran who won 15 games in 2023. While his contract is heavy, a team needing a starter could be willing to take on that deal.
This doesn’t even begin to address some of the Spring Training invitees the club added. This includes Spencer Turnbull, David Buchanon, and others.
Chances of Snellzilla in PHL?
I would give the chances of Blake Snell coming to the Phillies at 15%.
The truth is, the starting rotation is great enough without him, and the Phillies arent a team desperate to make a move.
They have two ace level pitchers in Wheeler and Nola. Suarez, Walker, and Sanchez provide great support to their pitching staff. You can never have enough pitching, but I feel like the Phillies should not spend the additional costs to add in Snell.
The main reason he is linked to the club is because the Phillies have shown to spend money. Whether or not Blake Snell joins the Phils remains to be seen. I would not hold my breathe that the club will add him to the 2024 roster, or beyond.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo / Gregory Bull)
