The San Diego Padres are bolstering an already solid starting rotation as they are nearing a trade that would land them Tampa Bay Rays ace pitcher Blake Snell.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Padres would land the former Cy Young Award winner Snell in exchange for top pitching prospect Luis Patiño, catchers Francisco Mejia and Blake Hunt, and right-handed pitching prospect Cole Wilcox.
The trade is pending medical reviews. The Padres have been aggressive in their search to further bolster their starting rotation, and have discussed potential deals for Chicago Cubs starter Yu Darvish as well as Cincinnati Reds starter Sonny Gray.
Snell, 28, is set to earn $39 million over the next three years of his contract. Snell has compiled a 42-30 with a 3.24 ERA to go along with 648 strikeouts over the past five major league seasons.
The addition of Snell will help soften the blow left by the loss of starter Mike Clevinger, who threw just 19 innings for the Padres, following a trade from Cleveland, before needing Tommy John surgery. Clevinger is expected to be healthy and ready for the 2022 season.
