SAN DIEGO – Blake Snell gave up the ball in Game 6 of the World Series, shaking his head after the curious change of pitch of manager Kevin Cash.
With three years left on his contract, Snell hardly thought it could be his final moment as Tampa Bay Ray.
His parents in San Diego, determined to go all the way, wanted him so much.
The adoptive parents completed their acquisition of the left-handed ace from Rays on Tuesday, sending four potentials in exchange for the winner of the Cy Young League Award in the 2018 American League.
Rays will get right Luis Patino and Cole Wilcox and catchers Francisco Mejia and Blake Hunt – all well-regarded youngsters from a San Diego system that has been storing the farm for years. Padres broke up with the quartet for a 28-year-old with experience in the World Series and a youthful confidence that should match with stars Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado.
Snell offers the Ascending Padres an established ace in front of the rotation as he tries to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Western National League. San Diego is also on the verge of acquiring Chicago Cubs owner Yu Darvish, sources familiar with the deal, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and Jeff Passan, said.
“They’re super exciting,” Snell said. “They’re a team that plays a lot of fun. They’re scary and they can hit the bat.”
Snell went 4-2 with 3.24 ERA in 11 starts during the regular 2020 season shortened by the pandemic, then went 2-2 with 3.03 ERA in six postseason starts for the American League champions.
He pitched spectacularly in the sixth inning of the World Series Game 6 against the Dodgers before Cash shot him after 73 pitches. The move was triggered when Los Angeles rallied for a 3-1 series victory.
Snell stood behind Cash’s decision and reiterated that support on Tuesday.
“I respect him and I’ve always trusted him,” Snell said. “He knows how to win. I reached the World Series because I won.”
Snell said he was amazed and saddened to leave Tampa Bay. He anticipated that Rays would trade it before the expiration of his contract, as the low-budget franchise was unlikely to commit to a long-term deal. But he hardly expected this move to come soon.
“Father really wanted me and they were persevering and I’m happy about that,” Snell said. “But it’s something I’m sad about.”
With a young and talented team, with Tatís on a short break and Machado on third base, the Padres finished with the second-best record in the NL last season at 37-23 – six games behind Los Angeles – and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
The exhausted rotation of accidents in San Diego was in ruins when the postseason arrived, but the parents managed to get past St. Louis. Louis in the first round before being moved to three games by the Dodgers in the division series.
Mike Clevinger, acquired from Cleveland in August, is not expected to return from Tommy John’s operation until 2022, but the parents have other quality holders in Dinelson Lamet and Chris Paddack. Left-handed MacKenzie Gore is one of the best baseball players, the jewel of a deep farming system.
“This team can play and we will watch a world series, which is obviously the most interesting piece for this,” Snell said.
Of all those born on the left in the major races last year, Snell ranked first in the hit percentage (31%) and sixth in the ERA.
“This acquisition is consistent with our overall strategy of building a consistently winning ball club for the great city of San Diego,” said Padres owner Peter Seidler. “I welcome Blake to the Padres and I know he will be happy to play for our enthusiastic and supportive fans in 2021 and beyond.”
Snell has three more years and $ 39 million remaining on a five-year, $ 50 million contract he signed with Rays in March 2019. He owes $ 10.5 million next year, $ 12.5 million. dollars in 2022 and $ 16 million in 2023 – great prices for one of the best baseball pitchers.
Patino could compete for Snell’s place in the Tampa Bay rotation in 2021. The 21-year-old from Columbia is one of the best baseball players with a fast ball and a glider. He made his big league debut in 2020, with 10 appearances in relief and one start, going 1-0 with an ERA 5.19. He hit 21, but went 14 over 17 over halves.
Wilcox, 21, was hired in the third round of the 2020 University of Georgia project. At 6-foot-5, Wilcox showed remarkable things, but sometimes struggled with his control.
Mejia, 25, became San Diego’s first catcher during the 2019 season, when he hit .265 with eight homers in 79 games. A left thumb injury limited him to 17 games in 2020. Mejia has been among the game’s most promising young captains since making titles in a series of 50 minor league games, although questions remain about his defensive reliability.
Hunt, 22, spent 2019 in Class A before the 2020 minor league season was eliminated by the coronavirus. He hit .255 with five homers in 89 games for Fort Wayne TinCaps two seasons ago.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.