San Diego Padres player scapegoats: 1 to trade, 1 to have patience with, and 1 to DFA

San Diego Padres player scapegoat: trade Blake Snell

Let's be honest, the 2023 season has not been all that bad for Blake Snell. It really hasn't. If he got consistent run support, his 4-7 record would be better than it is.

In 16 starts, he has a 3.21 ERA in 87 innings pitched with 114 strikeouts, a number he's on pace to top from last season when he had 171 in 24 starts. in his last start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, the 30-year-old did his job, working six innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs. He suffered the loss, but Nick Martinez did him no favors in relief allowing four hits and five earned runs in the seventh inning of a 7-1 loss in the middle game of a three-game series where the Friars suffered a disappointing sweep.

His time in San Diego has been up and down as he has finished over .500 just once, going 7-6 in 2021, his first year with the Padres. He's on pace for a second straight below .500 season, but his numbers actually are those of a pitcher who could have and should have a winning record on this team.

A free agent after this season, Snell is someone who could garner interest at the trade deadline and could get the Padres a decent return. It's beginning to look like they are going to be sellers at the deadline and if there's one thing this team is showing the front office, running it back with the same roster next season is not an option. Sell on Snell and move him.