Mariners need to find a way to sign Cy Young winner Blake Snell

The Mariners have a way to change the current narrative surrounding the team, beginning with signing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell.

You will likely have heard the saying that you can have too much of a good thing, but it’s (usually) not the case when it comes to professional sports. Lets use Mariners pitching as a prime example, specifically the rotation.

This past season cemented the Mariners rotation as one of the very best in the Majors, as they led the way with 901.1 combined innings. They were fourth in team ERA, first in WHIP and tied-fifth in opposing batting average.

However, if there was a way to make the rotation even better, you’d surely be crazy not to take it. And in the case of the Mariners, there is such a scenario, with one Blake Snell.

That would be the same Blake Snell, who is coming off a season when he won his second career Cy Young Award. He’s from Seattle originally, and has made no secret of the fact he’d love to return home to play.

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Best in the Majors

Snell was truly dominant in 2023, as he led all Major League starters in ERA, hits per nine innings, walks and ERA+. He also had a career high 32 starts, which is important to note given previous concerns about his durability and staying healthy.

All of this leads to the question of what’s stopping the Mariners from making a move for the southpaw, who would make their rotation even dominant. He would be an ideal fit for T-Mobile Park.

Unfortunately for the fans, it likely ties into all of the recent negativity surrounding the franchise’s financial situation, and how much the owners are willing to put into improving the team. The fan base is up in arms and it’s tough to remember a time when there was so much anger and frustration surrounding the Mariners.

Still time to make it right

However, as Mike Salk of Seattle Sports has said, the story is not concluded yet. There is still an opportunity to change the narrative and write a happier ending, which signing someone such as Snell would certainly contribute towards.

People will of course point towards how much it would cost to bring Snell in, with him projected to receive offers for around five years and above $120 million. Further, that the Mariners recently completed a couple of trades which the national media described as effectively salary dumps, in order to free up some money to be able to bring other players in.

However, as ESPN‘s Jeff Passan said earlier this week on Brock and Salk, the Mariners do have the money to spend, no matter what is being implied. This all comes back to how much ownership is willing to invest in the team.

Ultimately, Salk is correct in saying there is still time for the Mariners to make some positive moves, get the fans back on side, and be a genuine contender in 2024. And it can all start with making an offer for a pitcher coming off a Cy Young season, who actually wants to play in Seattle.

What is your opinion of the current situation surrounding the Mariners? Do you have confidence in them making the right moves to improve the team, or are you concerned about what next season will be like in Seattle? Let us know in the comments section below.