Pegging the probabilities of these 5 free agents signing with the Cubs

Chances of the Cubs signing these free agents: Blake Snell - Low

I mentioned Blake Snell as somebody the Cubs should go after earlier in the offseason. My feelings haven’t changed much, except for the part where I don’t think they will. Fresh off his second Cy Young season, Snell has put up good numbers in the last four seasons. His best, obviously, came in 2018 when he recorded a 1.89 ERA, going 21-5. Since 2020, he’s managed a respectable 3.16 ERA, along with an 11.8 K/9.

I only see Snell falling to Chicago if Jed Hoyer entices him enough with a short-term, high AAV deal. It doesn’t seem realistic for Snell to sign a two-year deal. He wants to be locked in and make money now and deserves to. Unless the front office can get him down to three years, I don’t see Hoyer willing to do much more.

Given how the market is, Snell will probably wind up with a four or five-year deal, and teams will drive up the AAV to a level Hoyer just isn't going to bite at. Snell has said he prefers to play on the West Coast, but the Dodgers have little interest here. The Angels and Giants seem like potential landing spots - as both need to add some impact pitching.

Prediction: San Francisco Giants