Blake Snell, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, has finalized a deal with the San Francisco Giants. The agreement is a substantial $62 million, two-year contract with an opt-out clause after the 2024 season.

In securing Snell’s services, the Giants will forfeit their third-round pick in the 2024 draft and $500,000 from their international bonus pool for the upcoming signing period, as Snell declined a qualifying offer from the Padres. This follows San Francisco’s previous loss of a second-round draft pick due to their signing of Matt Chapman, who also turned down a qualifying offer.

As Spring Training winds down, Snell joins a roster that already boasts notable acquisitions such as Jordan Hicks, Matt Chapman, Jung Hoo Lee, and Jorge Soler. This busy offseason has positioned the Giants as one of the most active and successful teams, not only in the National League but across all of Major League Baseball.

The addition of Snell bolsters a pitching staff that includes Hicks and Kyle Harrison, MLB Pipeline’s top left-handed prospect. With these strategic moves, the Giants are poised to enhance their competitiveness and stability on the mound.

Just before hitting the free-agent market, Blake Snell capped off one of the most impressive seasons of his career. In 2023, he led the National League with 6.0 bWAR and the entire Major Leagues with a stellar 2.25 ERA over 180 innings pitched. Snell was the top pitcher in terms of run prevention on an inning-per-inning basis, a testament to his exceptional swing-and-miss ability, MLB-high 99 walks, and outstanding performance with runners in scoring position.

Selected 52nd overall by the Rays in the 2011 Draft, Snell spent the first five years of his major league career with Tampa Bay. In December 2020, he was traded to San Diego, where he played for three seasons before opting for free agency in 2023.

For Giants fans, this season promises excitement as the team, bolstered by Snell’s addition and other key signings, looks to make a strong push for the postseason.