2023-12-24 18:32:32
While no one can replace the incomparable Shohei Ohtani in Anaheim, there are several players available who could fill some of the obvious holes on the Angels’ roster. Starting pitching may be the Seraphim’s biggest need, and the team appears to have some interest in one of the best arms left on the free market.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has heard that the Angels have inquired about Snell. The team was also linked to the left-hander by MLB Network correspondent Jon Paul Morosi, who reported on December 19 that the Angels “have recently spoken” with Snell.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle takes it further, reporting that Snell has become the “top priority” for the Anaheim outfit.
The Angels are trying to move forward after Ohtani signed with the Dodgers, and signing Snell would be a good first step for the club. While Ohtani had a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts in 2023, all five pitchers currently projected for Anaheim’s rotation in 2024 – Reid Detmers, Patrick Sandoval, Tyler Anderson, Chase Silseth and Griffin Canning – all had run averages. combined cleanlines of 4.53 in 111 starts.
This is not the first time the Angels have been linked to Snell. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported in late November that he had heard the Seraphim were “very interested” in signing the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner.
Now that the battle for the services of Yoshinubo Yamamoto, who agreed to a 12-year deal to keep Ohtani company with the Dodgers, has concluded, Snell’s market is expected to become active.
According to Slusser’s report, the Giants are targeting Snell after failing in their attempts to sign Ohtani and Yamamamoto. However, as Slusser points out, San Francisco may have passed up its best opportunity to court Snell. Now that Yamamoto is unavailable, expect more competition for Snell’s services. Slusser believes it is likely that at least one of the teams that failed to sign Yamamoto – the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies and Blue Jays were also in the bidding – will make an offer to Snell.
1703446189
#market #starting #heat #free #agent #starter