SF Giants should model Blake Snell contract's after a former Giants lefty

The SF Giants made a late splash in free agency by signing Matt Chapman. They can make yet another splash by signing pitcher Blake Snell to a short-term deal with opt-outs like they did with Carlos Rodon.

SF Giants should model Blake Snell contract's after a former Giants lefty

Immediately after the Chapman signing, SF Giants fans were calling on the team to make an additional move by signing Snell. The southpaw pitcher is coming off a season in which he took home his second Cy Young award and would instantly boost the team's rotation.

Plus, the rotation for the Giants right now is something of a mess. They have their ace Logan Webb, but after him it becomes much less clear. Kyle Harrison has a lot of promise but is unproven. Jordan Hicks has been a reliever for most of his career. Mason Black has never pitched in the big leagues. Keaton Winn looked good last year but is dealing with an injury. Sean Hjelle is...well, you get the point.

There is so much uncertainty around the rotation right now that it seems like the Giants need to make a move to address it. Signing Snell is the most exciting option, but if the team does it, they should structure it similar to how they structured a deal for another exciting lefty hurler a few off-seasons ago.

The Giants signed left-hander Carlos Rodon in mid-March 2022 after the lockout between MLB and the players' union ended. They signed him to a two-year, $44 million deal with an opt-out after the first season.

Farhan Zaidi is often ridiculed for his reliance on opt-outs in free agent deals but that one looks like a smart one now as Rodon opted out after a great year with the Giants, signed a massive deal with the Yankees, and has struggled since then.

The Giants should sign Snell to a similar deal. Give him a lot of guaranteed money but over a two- or three-year deal with opt-outs and live with the fact that he may walk after this season is over. There are legitimate questions about Snell's potential longevity, so a short-term deal like this makes a lot of sense for the Giants.

The Giants would have to give him a lot of money for at least one season and in so doing would go over the luxury tax threshold which would cost them a draft pick and international bonus pool money. But it would be worth it to pair Snell with Logan Webb for at least one season as the team now looks like they have a roster capable of making it to the postseason.