Trade News: Blake Snell Traded to Padres

Photo Via: Kevin Jairaj - USA Today

News broke via Twitter late Sunday night that the Tampa Bay Rays traded former Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to the San Diego Padres. The Snell deal was first reported by Dennis Lin, Ken Rosenthal, and Josh Tolentino of The Athletic. Then ESPN’s MLB Insider Jeff Passan tweeted out additional details of the agreement.

San Diego is sending top pitching prospect Luis Patiño, along with former top prospect Francisco Mejia, a switch-hitter who plays catcher and some outfield. Additionally, catching prospect Blake Hunt and pitching prospect Cole Wilcox are headed to Tampa Bay.

Snell’s final pitch for the Rays occurred in Game 6 of the World Series, when manager Kevin Cash made the controversial decision to go to the bullpen after Snell surrendered a single in the 6th inning. The Rays went on to lose the game, resulting in a Dodgers series victory.

Snell is due a $1 million trading assignment bonus. San Diego will acquire Snell with three seasons remaining on his contract. He will earn $11.1 million in 2021, $13.1 million in 2022, and $16.6 million in 2023. However, his luxury tax amount is valued at $10 million per season, since that amount is the average annual value (AAV) of his current contract.

After this trade, the Padres now have a starting rotation that includes Dinelson Lamet, Blake Snell, Zach Davies, Chris Paddack, and Adrian Morejon. Mike Clevinger is also tentatively set to return in 2022.

Further details of the trade may come to light. In that case, updates will follow.