Blake Snell trade rumors prove Yankees fans owe Dodgers everything for breaking Rays

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 27: Blake Snell #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts as he is being taken out of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game Six of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 27, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 27: Blake Snell #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts as he is being taken out of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game Six of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 27, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The Rays are reportedly open to trading Blake Snell. You hear that, Yankees fans?

The Tampa Bay Rays and their “fans” still likely have a bad taste in their mouths with the way the World Series ended. Blake Snell was pulled in Game 6 — an elimination contest — after just 5.1 innings despite cruising. He had thrown just 73 pitches and allowed two hits and zero runs. The Los Angeles Dodgers couldn’t touch him.

After that, LA made manager Kevin Cash pay. A string of hits took the lead away from the Rays, and the rest is history. The Dodgers broke their 32-year championship drought and Tampa Bay’s best chance to date to capture a championship evaporated.

And when the rally that broke the Rays’ back happened, you could hear New York Yankees fans all over the world celebrating. Now, they have even more of a reason to thank the Dodgers. It appears as if Tampa Bay has fully experience brain breakage, because the organization is reportedly entertaining the idea of trading Snell.

Here’s what MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand is reporting:

"“According to multiple sources, the Rays have told other clubs that they’re open to the idea of trading Blake Snell, presenting a realistic possibility that a deal could be consummated this offseason.“A source noted that Tampa Bay is not actively shopping Snell, who has three years and $39 million remaining on his five-year, $50 million extension, but given the financial losses the Rays endured during the pandemic-impacted 2020 season, trading the 27-year-old represents the club’s best chance to create some much-needed flexibility.“Snell will earn $10.5 million in 2021, $12.5 million in 2022, and $16 million in 2023.”"

We know the Rays are a small market team, but can they really not afford to pay one of the best pitchers in baseball a shade over $10 million in 2021? Though Feinsand also reported that word about a potential trade got back to Snell and the left-hander expressed he’s committed to remaining with the team regardless, you can’t help but think there’s some tension between the star pitcher and the organization after the decision to remove him in that fatal Game 6.

Even if the Rays think they can clean up on the trade market, why would they trade their best pitcher, especially after losing Charlie Morton? Getting a little bit more in a potential return doesn’t out-weigh paying an ace mid-rotation money.

The only explanation? The Dodgers fully broke the Rays. And Yankees fans would be forever indebted to LA if Tampa actually moves forward with trading its best pitcher.

Schedule