Blake Snell has secured a significant five-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, valued at $182 million, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. This development was shared on Tuesday night, with the source speaking anonymously as the deal is contingent on a successful physical examination.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner took to social media to announce his move to the Dodgers, sharing a photo of himself clad in the team’s uniform, wearing jersey No. 7. ESPN was the first to report the specifics of the contract.
In joining the Dodgers, Snell will collaborate with superstar Shohei Ohtani, enhancing an already impressive rotation. Snell’s signing marks one of the first significant contracts of the offseason, following Ohtani’s historic $700 million, 10-year deal last year.
Ohtani, who did not pitch this season due to elbow surgery, clinched his third MVP award, becoming the first in the National League after a remarkable year primarily as a designated hitter. The Dodgers, having secured their second World Series title in five years despite facing significant injuries to their pitching staff in the postseason, are now looking to bolster their rotation further, especially after right-handers Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler became free agents.
With an impressive average salary of $36.4 million, Snell’s new contract will rank as the fifth-highest among active deals next season, behind notable players like Ohtani and Zack Wheeler. The contract surpasses Snell’s previous agreement with the San Francisco Giants, which he opted out of earlier this month after an injury-plagued year.
In the 2023 season, the 32-year-old left-hander compiled a record of 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA over 20 starts, including a no-hitter against Cincinnati. Snell faced injuries this season but managed to produce strong performances nonetheless. Having previously won Cy Young Awards in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Rays and 2023 with the San Diego Padres, Snell has achieved a commendable career record of 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA over nearly a decade in the majors.
The decision by the Giants not to extend a qualifying offer to Snell, after he declined one from San Diego in November, means they will not receive draft-pick compensation.
This contract is not only a testament to Snell’s skill and resilience but a promising step for the Dodgers as they aim for continued success in the upcoming seasons. The combination of Snell and Ohtani in the rotation could be a game-changer, bringing hope to fans for an exciting playoff run in the future.