Blake Snell Rumors: Market for ace getting slim as 1 team emerges to be in 'prime position', per report

While we are already pretty deep into the offseason, former two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell still sits unsigned. He has patiently waited out other top free-agent pitchers on the open market but could be coming to a decision soon.

Some teams who have been tied to Snell have gotten the jump on signing free-agent starting pitchers. Both the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants recently signed starters to bolster their rotations.

With the Yankees and Giants signing starting pitchers, it seems those clubs have taken themselves out of the Snell sweepstakes. The Los Angeles Angels now emerge as the favorite to sign the hard-throwing lefty, per MLB.com.

Snell has reportedly been the Angels' top target after finding out that they lost Shohei Ohtani in the offseason. He would be an excellent team addition and serve as the team's ace.

Blake Snell is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. Across 32 starts, he compiled a 14-9 record while holding a 2.25 ERA, the lowest in the league.

Blake Snell is looking for a big-time contract

Colorado Rockies v San Diego Padres

It was reported on Thursday that the Yankees had offered Snell five years, $150 million. However, he turned it down because he wanted more money and an extra year.

That made the Bronx Bombers go after Marcus Stroman. The two sides agreed to a two-year, $37 million deal. Many insiders believe Stroman will work wonders as a groundball pitcher at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees could not afford to gamble with signing Snell. They desperately needed to sign a pitcher to work alongside Gerrit Cole at the top of the rotation. Last season's pitching was an area that fans want to forget about.

Snell haggling over his contract is expected, especially for someone Scott Boras represents. Boras is known for commanding huge contracts for his players.

However, with each passing day, more and more pitchers are coming off the board. While he is holding out to get the money he believes he deserves, his market is only shrinking.

It will be interesting to see who Snell decides to sign with. Whichever team signs him is getting one of the best lefties in the game.