Blake Snell, the accomplished left-handed pitcher and two-time Cy Young Award winner, has signed a significant five-year contract worth $182 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to ESPN. The deal, which is pending a physical examination, includes a $52 million signing bonus and some deferred payments but no opt-out clauses.
Snell’s arrival adds depth to a Dodgers rotation that struggled with injuries during their World Series title defense last season, relying heavily on their bullpen due to the limited availability of healthy starters. This is a pivotal move for the Dodgers as they seek to maintain their championship momentum heading into the next season.
This contract represents a major financial commitment for the Dodgers, marking it as the third-largest ever awarded to a left-handed pitcher, trailing only David Price and Clayton Kershaw’s deals. Since the beginning of the 2023-24 offseason, the Dodgers have issued five contracts exceeding $100 million, matching the total amount spent by the rest of Major League Baseball combined.
Snell initially opted out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants to re-enter the free agency market, where his journey has seen ups and downs. Despite a shaky start to the 2024 season, which saw him post a 9.51 ERA in his first six starts due to injuries, he rebounded strongly, finishing with a commendable 3.12 ERA over 20 starts, including a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds.
With the addition of Snell, along with the potential return of stars like Clayton Kershaw and the prospect of acquiring other top pitchers, including Japanese star Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers’ rotation looks particularly robust for the upcoming season.
Overall, Snell boasts a solid career record of 76 wins against 58 losses, with an ERA of 3.19 over nine seasons in Major League Baseball. His contract average of $36.4 million places him among the highest-paid active players in the league.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers are currently favored at +400 to win the 2025 World Series, hoping to break a long-standing trend in MLB history where no team has repeated as champions since the Yankees from 1998 to 2000. This move signifies a bold step for the Dodgers as they strive to build a formidable roster for their title defense.
This signing not only bolsters the Dodgers but also reflects a competitive spirit within MLB, demonstrating teams’ willingness to invest significantly in top talent to secure success.