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News and Notes: Blake Snell declined his player option to become a free agent
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Photo credit: © Jay Biggerstaff - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Nov 2, 2024, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Nov 2, 2024, 10:45 EDT
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A two-time Cy Young winner is now on the market.
On Friday evening, Blake Snell opted out of his deal with the San Francisco Giants and became a free agent (again).
Pitching with the San Diego Padres in 2023, the left-handed pitcher had a 2.25 ERA and a 3.44 FIP in 180 innings pitched, along with a 31.5 K% and a 13.3 BB% for a 4.2 fWAR to help him win his second career Cy Young. The first came in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Despite being one of the best pitching free agents available in a weak market last off-season, Snell only received a two-year deal worth $62 million. He was set to make $38.5 million in payroll in 2025 with a luxury tax hit of $29.698 million but opted out of his deal.
Unlike last season, Snell won’t have the loss of a draft pick attached to him. The 31-year-old had a solid season in 2024, posting a 3.12 ERA and a 2.43 FIP in 104 innings pitched, with a 34.7 K% and a 10.5 BB%.

Diamondbacks exercise option on Eugenio Suárez

From a player who opted out, to two players whose teams opted for an extra year of them, let’s start with Eugenio Suárez. According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the Diamondbacks picked up his $15 million option.
Suárez started his career with the Detroit Tigers but spent the majority of his career with the Cincinnati Reds from 2014 until he was traded to the Seattle Mariners before the start of the 2022 season. Suárez had two good seasons with the Mariners before they traded him to the Diamondbacks for Carlos Vargas and Seby Zavala.
The 33-year-old third baseman had a strong season for the Diamondbacks, slashing .256/.319/.469 with 30 home runs in 640 plate appearances, giving him a 115 wRC+ and a 3.8 fWAR.
Suárez was seen as one of the top third basemen available in free agency if he reached the market, but the Diamondbacks wisely exercised his option to keep him around in 2025.

Rays exercise Brandon Lowe’s option

From one of the best third basemen who could’ve been available on the market to one of the best second basemen who could’ve been available. On Friday, Marc Topkin of Tampa Bay Times reported that the Tampa Bay Rays picked up Brandon Lowe’s $10.5 million option.
Lowe had a great season for the Rays, slashing .244/.311/.473 with 21 home runs in 425 plate appearances for a 123 wRC+. His BB% dropped from 11.5% to 7.8%, but he accumulated 2.2 fWAR.
His career year came in 2021, where he slashed .247/.340/.523 with 39 home runs in 615 plate appearances, along with a 4.5 fWAR and a 136 wRC+. Lowe has an additional team option year in 2026, meaning he likely won’t be a free agent for another two seasons.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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