Earlier in March, the Houston Astros received bad news about pitcher Justin Verlander. He will begin the regular season on the disabled list with right shoulder discomfort.
While Verlander is expected to return shortly, the World Series hopefuls are now in a difficult position early in the 2024 MLB season.
This is where general manager Dana Brown may make the final big splash of the MLB summer. According to Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Houston is serious in acquiring reigning National League Cy Young winner Blake Snell. This is not a test.
“The question is whether Astros owner Jim Crane is willing to sign Snell for the $30 million to $32 million annual salary the pitcher is expected to ask. The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels have both been linked to Snell. However, the Yankees must pay a 110 percent luxury tax on every dollar spent, which means Snell would cost them nearly double his contract. The Astros would also benefit from Texas’s lack of a state income tax.
It’s remarkable that Snell, 31, is still on the free agent market before the regular season begins next week. He has been unable to secure a long-term deal while being represented by super-agent Scott Boras. Now, Snell is seeking a shorter-term deal with a high annual salary.
The Houston Astros are a good fit for Blake Snell.
As previously stated, Verlander is starting the season on the disabled list. Astros manager Joe Espada discussed his 41-year-old pitcher earlier in March. He doesn’t appear to be really bothered.
“”He’s doing extremely well, but we’re just running out of time here, and we won’t be able to build him up enough to start the season,” Espada told the Associated Press. “It’s simply a time issue. We want to do what is best for J.V. and our club, and this is the best option for us right now.
The Astros’ rotation would be among the best in MLB if Verlander, Snell, and Framber Valdez made up the top three.
Last season, Snell went 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, striking out 234 batters in 180 innings. His league-leading 99 walks raises concerns. But we’re talking about dominating things.
If the Astros sign Snell, they will follow up on the signing of his former Padres teammate, closer Josh Hader, earlier this offseason.
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