Late on Sunday night, the Tampa Bay Rays traded away 2018 AL Cy Young award winner Blake Snell, first reported by Dennis Lin.

The Deal

The Rays, coming off a World Series appearance in the shortened 2020 season, have traded away their biggest asset. Snell, who signed an extension with the Rays, and a very team friendly one at that, was dealt for 4 players. Pending medical reviews, Luis Patino, Francisco Mejia, Blake Hunt, and Cole Wilcox are now members of the Rays.

For the Padres

The Padres, last year’s sweetheart, now have a pitching rotation of guys whose arms could fall off tomorrow… OR all take Cy Young votes from each other.

For the Rays

What are you thinking? Blake Snell is an absolute stud. For a small market team to trade off their best player, for no immediately impactful player is crazy town. As a small market team who just got to the World Series and likely broke even/potentially made a profit due to merch sales, why would you do this? A team friendly deal, player is in prime years, and very close to a World Series victory. I’m not sure how to process this as a baseball fan.

Impact of Blake Snell

Blake Snell is going to immediately make an impact. You bring that already unhittable lefty to a ballpark that is traditionally a pitchers park and you may as well include a second Cy Young award.

Snell’s 2018 campaign is one of 13 seasons in baseball history to throw 180 innings, have an ERA under 2 and a hits per nine innings of under 6.

The Padres are able to keep Snell under contract until 2023. His contract includes payouts for being voted in the top three in the Cy Young voting. Once he hits age 31 in 2024, he’ll become a free agent.