Former San Diego Padres pitcher Blake Snell is officially opting out of his contract to become a free agent this summer. Bob Nightengale for USA Today. After a lengthy free agency period, Snell signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants last March that included an opt-out clause after the first year. Snell chooses to take on this clause.

Could this signal Snell’s return to San Diego?

Snell played for the Padres from 2021-23. He started his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, made his major league debut in 2016, and was traded to San Diego in December 2020.

Snell had his best season with the Padres in 2023, putting together a standout campaign before hitting free agency. During the 2023 season, Snell started a career-high 32 games. He went 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA and a career-high 234 strikeouts. Snell led the National League in strikeouts above replacement and was second in the NL in strikeouts. He led MLB in ERA and won the Cy Young award for the second time in his career.

The 31-year-old had the option to stay in San Diego last season but rejected a $20.25 million qualifying offer from the Padres in November 2023. After an ongoing free agency saga in which he was linked to multiple teams, Snell officially signed Snell. Giants.

Snell is off to a rough start during the 2024 season. Snell posted a 9.51 ERA in his first six starts of the year. He allowed at least three earned runs in each of those starts and also missed time due to injury and paternity leave.

After the All-Star break, Snell got hot again. He posted a 1.23 ERA after the break and racked up strikeouts. After the All-Star Game, Snell allowed three earned runs in only one game and did not allow an earned run in five starts. He struck out a career-high 15 homers in a game against the Chicago White Sox on July 27, and after the break he struck out at least 10 in five different starts. The highlight of the season was Snell’s first career scoreless game on August 2 against the Cincinnati Reds.

So will the Padres pursue him?

At his peak, Snell is one of the best pitchers in MLB. After deciding to significantly reduce the team’s payroll, they denied him the offer he sought and released Snell. But this season, the Padres know they are in World Series contention and will also be without Joe Musgrove after Tommy John surgery. Will this be enough to bring Snell back?