Blake Snell
Snellzilla has been the hottest pitcher in baseball over the last month. The Padres’ starter is the current NL ERA leader (2.71) and owns a K/9 over 12. He also leads San Diego’s rotation in fWAR at 2.3.
Blake Snell before the Padres signed Gary Sanchez: 10 starts, 5.04 ERA
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 15, 2023
Snell since the Padres signed Sanchez: 9 starts, 0.51 ERA pic.twitter.com/0QfK7RuDjM
Snell is in the final year of his five-year $50 million contract and is set to hit free agency after the season. Seeking out a rental player is likely the avenue Atlanta takes this trade deadline, as the cost isn’t as much as players that come with control.
The Braves already have a rotation that you feel comfortable matching up with in a playoff series. Fried, Strider, and Morton are plenty enough to take you deep into the playoffs. However, the addition of Snell could really create some fear for potential opposing playoff lineups.
The problem with Snell is the demand of top-tier starting pitching is always at a premium at the deadline. Unfortunately, the Braves simply don’t have the farm to get into a likely bidding war that would ensue for Snell’s services. Once again I have to deem this one as an unlikely one to happen.