After adding closer Josh Hader to their pitching rotation, the Houston Astros are serious contenders in signing 2023 National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.
Multiple reports reveal that the pitching ace is looking for a three-year deal with opt-outs after the first and second years. This is similar to the contract other Scott Boras clients, like Matt Chapman and Cody Bellinger, signed this offseason. Snell is also reportedly seeking a deal that would pay him $30 million to $32 million annually.
SEVEN straight trips to the ALCS.
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) March 16, 2024
Could Blake Snell help them make it eight? #Astros pic.twitter.com/e2bGlLRTVM
The Astros badly need pitchers, as Jose Urquidy underwent an MRI after abruptly leaving a minor-league game due to a sore elbow. Likewise, Justin Verlander will miss the start of the season due to an inflamed shoulder. Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers are also recovering from elbow surgeries.
Aside from the Astros, the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels also bid for the two-time Cy Young Award winner. However, the Yankees must pay a luxury tax for every dollar spent on Snell’s contract, leading their expenses to double.
Meanwhile, the Astros play in a US state (Texas) with no income tax. The team might have some financial flexibility in the coming seasons because Verlander could walk away after 2024 if he doesn’t hit the 140 innings needed to activate his player option.
Alex Bregman will become a free agent after 2024, while Urquidy, Framber Valdez, and Kyle Tucker could test free agency after the 2025 season.
But even before the possibility of signing Blake Snell, the Astros will carry their most expensive payroll in team history. Adding Hader brought them to the first tax threshold, losing them a second-round pick. Adding Snell would put them further into the threshold, forcing them to let go of additional picks in the June Amateur Draft.
-Lance Fernandez