The San Diego Padres could be prepared to spend some money this offseason after falling just one win shy of a trip to the National League Championship Series.
They could certainly use a top-level starting pitcher, particularly from left side. Should they pursue one, it might make sense for them to reunite with former Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.
Steve Gardner of USA Today predicts that Snell will return to the Padres this winter.
“A return to San Diego isn’t out of the question,” Gardner said. “He won a Cy Young there and the Padres may be only one bold move away from overtaking the Dodgers. Getting a left-hander for their all-righty rotation just might be the missing piece.
Snell started 20 games for the San Francisco Giants this past season. After a rocky start that saw him post an ERA close to 10, the veteran left-hander bounced back in a big way and ultimately finished the year 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 104 innings pitched.
The 31-year-old also posted a 2.1 Wins Above Replacement.