Blake Snell hopes to pitch in Giants' opening series vs. Padres - ESPN

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Blake Snell joined the San Francisco Giants just nine days before their opener, and the two-time Cy Young Award winner said he hopes he will be ready to start during the first series at his old team, the San Diego Padres.

«We'll throw a bullpen tomorrow and go from there,» Snell said Wednesday at his first news conference with the Giants, a day after finalizing a $62 million, two-year contract.

Right-hander Logan Webb, runner-up to Snell in last year's NL Cy Young vote, will start the opener. Snell could pitch later in the four-game series.

Snell was 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA last year for the Padres, winning the NL Cy Young to go along with his 2018 AL Cy Young with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Lengthy negotiations resulted in a deal that allows him to opt out and become a free agent again after earning $32 million this season.

«It took a long time, but we had a good plan and we were committed to it,» Snell said. «It's tough, but now that I'm here, I'm focused on being here.»

Snell said he worked out in Seattle until reaching the deal, following his normal offseason plan.

Snell gets a $17 million signing bonus payable on Jan. 15, 2026, and a $15 million salary this year. He would get $30 million if he keeps the contract for 2025, of which $15 million would be deferred and payable on July 1, 2027.

Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi was determined to add to his staff after falling short in bidding for other players this offseason.

«We talked all offseason about adding to the top of our rotation,» Zaidi said. «We were really excited about the pitching we had already. We couldn't be more excited as an organization. We know Blake's ready to go.»

Snell became the second client of agent Scott Boras to