Blake Snell has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a five-year contract valued at $182 million, according to sources reported by ESPN. The deal, which is still subject to a physical examination, features a substantial signing bonus of $52 million and includes deferred payments, but notably lacks opt-out clauses.
This significant acquisition fortifies the Dodgers’ rotation as they prepare to defend their World Series title, which they secured last season with a heavy reliance on their bullpen due to limited starting pitchers. For Snell, this contract concludes his second foray into free agency in a more favorable manner compared to his previous experiences.
Notably, Snell’s new contract ranks as the third largest for a left-handed pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball, trailing only David Price’s $217 million deal in 2015 with the Boston Red Sox and Clayton Kershaw’s $215 million contract with the Dodgers from 2014.
The Dodgers have made headlines this offseason by issuing five contracts exceeding $100 million, matching the total sum of all other teams in MLB. Snell’s partnership with the team comes after he opted out of his previous two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants at the beginning of November.
The addition of the two-time Cy Young Award winner to their pitching roster presents the Dodgers with an impressive lineup for the upcoming 2025 season, which could include stars like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow, along with established talents such as Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, who could strengthen the rotation further. Additionally, the Dodgers are in contention to sign rising Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki, who is expected to be available this winter.
Snell emerged as a standout in 2023 while playing for the Padres, where he secured the National League Cy Young Award after first winning the American League version with the Rays in 2018. Despite facing early season struggles, including a high ERA and injuries, he bounced back to deliver impressive performances, culminating in a no-hitter on August 2 against the Cincinnati Reds and a stellar late-season ERA of 1.23 across multiple starts.
With an overall career record of 76 wins and 58 losses and a 3.19 ERA over nine seasons, Snell has proven to be one of the top pitchers in baseball. His average annual salary of $36.4 million will position him among the highest paid active contracts in the league.
As the Dodgers aim for a competitive edge in the 2025 season, they currently stand as +400 favorites to secure another World Series title, despite the significant challenge of repeating as champions—a feat not accomplished since the New York Yankees won three consecutive titles from 1998 to 2000.
Overall, Snell’s addition to the Dodgers not only enhances their roster but also illustrates a commitment to investing in top-tier talent as they pursue another championship run. The blend of an experienced pitcher like Snell with upcoming stars paves the way for exciting possibilities in the season ahead.