The Padres got Blake Snell in a huge trade from the Tampa Bay Rays, which had Baseball Twitter, particularly Yankees fans, celebrating.
The stove was extremely hot on Sunday night as news broke of Blake Snell’s trade from the Rays to the Padres.
The deal will have Snell head to San Diego while top prospect Luis Patiño, pitcher Cole Wilcox, and catchers Francisco Mejia and Blake Hunt go to Tampa Bay.
When a Cy Young winner at Snell’s age of 28 gets dealt, it’s an earth-shaking move.
Blake Snell’s trade was met with excitement, uncertainty and jokes
Tony Gwynn Jr., a broadcaster for the team and the son of the late Padres legend Tony Gwynn, spoke for San Diego fans everywhere.
https://twitter.com/tonygwynnjr/status/1343412791789555712?s=20
If your first reaction was to crack a joke about the Rays’ usage (or misusage) of Snell in the World Series, you’re not alone.
I would crack a joke about trading Blake Snell with three years left on his deal, but this isn’t the first time this year the Rays have pulled the plug on him early
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 28, 2020
The last that will be seen of Blake Snell in a Rays uniform pic.twitter.com/2PgYiQGC0M
— Ethan (@NYSportsFanCush) December 28, 2020
At least now the Blake Snell can throw more pitches to the #Dodgers finally.
— MLB Memes (@MLBMeme) December 28, 2020
Blake Snell realizing he’s now allowed to pitch past the 5th inning pic.twitter.com/GxCVeGh2np
— gabe (@PlayoffTanaka_) December 28, 2020
There was also genuine excitement for Snell joining an already fun roster in San Diego.
There’s like 100 different things about this trade, but it’s late and I’m tired so my only reaction is “Hell yeah the Padres are so damn fun.”
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) December 28, 2020
The Padres now have an unbelievable rotation to work with.
https://twitter.com/Jake_Taraska/status/1343411727367610371?s=20
That’s not to say there aren’t some out there betting on the Rays in all this.
Minor Overpay. Rays win another trade? #BlakeSnell #MLB #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/NBQjyP3bTh
— The Clean Up Podcast (@TheCleanUpPod) December 28, 2020
On today's episode of "I have no idea what the hell the Tampa Bay Rays are doing, yet this will somehow work out in their favor due to reasons beyond our mortal minds", Blake Snell is traded.
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) December 28, 2020
Patino and Mejia are really good, though. Just wish it ended better than Game Six. https://t.co/NFzgRnn3NN
After all, Tampa Bay is stocking up on some seriously talented prospects.
The #Rays new Top-100 contingent:
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) December 28, 2020
1. Wander Franco
12. Brendan McKay
23. Luis Patiño (!)
41. Vidal Brujan
67. Xavier Edwards
86. Shane Baz
99. Shane McClanahan
If nothing else, batters in the AL can now breathe a big sigh of relief.
BLAKE SNELL IS OUT OF THE AL EAST https://t.co/hzgyNjx6Er
— Rocco (@NYYRocco) December 28, 2020
The Yankees should be especially pleased to see another pain in their backside head across the country.
Ranking best Yankees moves of the last 12 months:
— River Ave. Blues (@RiverAveBlues) December 28, 2020
1. Sign Gerrit Cole.
2. Red Sox trade Mookie Betts.
3. Rays trade Blake Snell.
Yankees fans, when they hear Blake Snell is leaving the AL East pic.twitter.com/DUKR6EZ3FX
— Jake Montgomery (@JakeMontgomery_) December 28, 2020
Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make. For example, the #Yankees watching Boston move Mookie Betts and Tampa move Blake Snell. These are some wild times.
— Tom Hanslin (@TomHanslin) December 28, 2020
Snell was an All-Star in 2018, when he took home the AL Cy Young award. In 2020 he had an ERA of 3.24 while going 4-2 in the shortened season. He has a career postseason ERA of 2.83 with a record of 2-3.
Who will ultimately come out on top in this blockbuster trade? Only time will tell.