SF Giants are reportedly the "leading candidate" to sign two-time Cy Young winner

The Blake Snell rumors to the SF Giants continue to get louder and louder. On Sunday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today speculated that the Giants appear to be the "leading candidate" to sign the two-time Cy Young winner.

SF Giants are reportedly the "leading candidate" to sign two-time Cy Young winner

Snell has been connected to the Giants quite a bit lately. Two recent reports suggested that the Giants could pivot to the veteran pitcher if they do not land star NPB pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In reading between the lines, it does feel like the Giants see themselves on the outside looking in that market if they are considering alternatives to Yamamoto.

That could change. Honestly, it feels like there is a sense of inevitability with someone like Snell much in the same way as with third baseman Matt Chapman. On paper, both appear as sensible fits for the Giants and there are plenty of reasons they would target either option. Until they sign elsewhere, they will continue to be connected to the Giants.

For what it is worth, the Yamamoto market does feel like it is nearing a conclusion. The Orix Buffaloes of the NPB posted the 25-year-old pitcher in November, beginning his 45-day posting window. That runs through the beginning of January.

For Snell, adding him would be an interesting, if not perplexing, fit. On one hand, the Giants allowed Kevin Gausman and Carlos Rodón to depart via free agency in successive offseasons. The belief is that the Giants front office is not keen on handing out long-term contracts to pitchers. Snell would be no different as he is expected to command a deal in excess of five years.

On the other hand, bringing in Snell gives the Giants a co-ace to pair with Logan Webb. Rotations around the National League are either top-heavy, injury-riddled, or ineffective. The Giants could really create a competitive advantage this winter by putting together a rotation that has quality length to it. Snell would go a long way in achieving that end.

The left-handed pitcher is coming off of another stellar campaign. With the San Diego Padres, he tallied a 2.25 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 1.18 WHIP, 11.7 K/9, and a 2.36 SO/W ratio across 180 innings. Snell became just the seventh pitcher in baseball history to secure a Cy Young award in both leagues.