The Giants listened to no-hitter Blake Snell at the deadline, but given that they had already paid his $17 million signing bonus and all that remained was a $5 million salary and a $30 million player option for 2025 that he would almost certainly decline, they naturally wanted a top prospect in return.
Even though the Yankees made top hitter Jason Dominguez untouchable, the Giants still figured to have made other deals that included a top 100 prospect. While no top 100 prospects were traded at the deadline (and the Yankees, like many other teams, are looking to protect their top talent), Snell has a 0.55 ERA in five starts and is a potential game-changer.
The Yankees are one of at least six teams checking — along with the Orioles, Dodgers, Padres, Cubs and Rangers — but they also seem concerned about his $30 million player option, though two rival GMs said it would take a “catastrophic” or “debilitating” injury for Snell to exercise it now in any event.
Matt Chapman, third in the National League with 5.3 WAR thanks to his stellar defense, is also expected to decline the first of his two remaining $18 million options. The Giants are interested in signing him to a long-term deal and are expected to discuss the matter again.
The Giants have struggled to attract star players to the Bay Area, but Chapman is one of the players willing to do so.
The Tigers consulted with teams about Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal, but no one came close, and with a trophy on the horizon, two years left on his contract, a reasonable salary and Skubal’s incredible development under the Tigers’ tutelage, it’s hard to blame Detroit for keeping him.
Garrett Crochette’s price didn’t go down after his understandable stance of not pitching in October without a contract extension, as first revealed by The Post. Let’s be realistic: He’s a fine pitcher and has a two-year deal with the team, but innings were an issue anyway.
Crochette should be cut in an offseason that has already seen a 1,000 percent increase in innings for pitchers (12 ²/₃ to 118 ¹/₃).
Surprising stat: Erick Fedde was 7-4 with the White Sox.
