MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Blake Snell.

Oct. 1: Snell ends season strong with opt-out decision looming
Has Snell made his final start for the Giants? The two-year, $62 million contract the lefty signed with San Francisco in March gives him the ability to opt out of his deal this offseason, which would put him on the free-agent market once again.

Snell, who won his second career Cy Young Award in 2023, is widely expected to opt out on the heels of an incredible stretch that saw him post a 1.23 ERA with 114 strikeouts over 80 1/3 innings in his final 14 starts of the season.

Because Snell remained unsigned for so long in his first run at free agency, he didn’t end up making a Spring Training appearance, which likely contributed to his rough start to the 2024 season. The southpaw made two trips to the injured list early in the year and posted a 9.51 ERA over his first six starts before turning things around.

Snell is hoping to sign earlier this time and believes he’s shown enough to avoid languishing on the open market for the second straight year.

“I think that was more on teams,” Snell said. “That wasn’t on me. I also think what I was able to accomplish this year will make teams be more aggressive earlier, so I’ll be looking forward to that. We’ll see.”