Despite facing uncertain future, Farhan Zaidi expects SF Giants to target ace in the winter

Blake Snell signed a two-year, $62 million pact with the SF Giants right before the season began. That second year is a moot point now. Farhan Zaidi told Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area that he expects Snell to opt out and that the Giants plan to be part of his market.

Despite facing uncertain future, Farhan Zaidi expects SF Giants to target ace in the winter

There is nothing surprising about Snell opting out at this point. He has simply been one of the best pitchers in baseball in the second half of the season. In fact, he could have helped out a few teams at the trade deadline.

The Giants signed the southpaw pitcher so late in the offseason that he did not make an appearance in spring training. Despite this, his first appearance in a Giants uniform came in the second week of the season. This was after having no official outings in any capacity with San Francisco. At that point, Snell had only thrown bullpens and simulated games.

Perhaps, that is a decision that the Giants wish they could go back in time and redo. Spring training is six weeks for a reason and that is to get the pitchers ready for the season. Snell did not look ready for the season.

The first half of Snell's season was marred by injuries and underperformance. Once the calendar turned to July, he became the pitcher that the Giants were expecting. During that stretch, Snell has tallied a 1.23 ERA with 114 strikeouts against 30 walks in 80.1 frames.

It was not going to take much for Snell to decide to opt out. He just needed to be sure that he can net a deal greater than the remainder of his two-year, $62 million deal with San Francisco. Given his track record, terms already know what he can do, so this was not a case of re-establishing his market value. That said, the lefty pitcher has shown some improvement in his control as he has brought his walk rate down from 5.0 BB/9 in 2023 to 3.8 BB/9 this season.

Overall, Snell has pitched to a 3.12 ERA, 2.42 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, 12.5 K/9, and a 3.30 SO/W rate in 20 starts with San Francisco.

The 31-year-old is poised to score a big payday in free agency. It is no surprise that he will have such a robust market, including the Giants. For what it is worth, Snell does like being in San Francisco.

Maybe the most interesting detail in all this is Zaidi's admission that the Giants will be involved in Snell's market this winter. The Giants top executive is facing an uncertain future despite being under contract through next season. The team has underperformed this season and ownership is considering whether a change is necessary. The question should be answered within the next week.