Blake Snell, the talented left-handed pitcher and two-time Cy Young Award winner, has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a substantial five-year contract valued at $182 million. This deal, contingent on a physical examination, features no opt-out clauses, includes deferred payments, and comes with a significant $52 million signing bonus, as reported by sources.
This acquisition fortifies the Dodgers’ rotation as they prepare to defend their World Series title. The team faced challenges last October, relying heavily on their bullpen due to a lack of healthy starters. With Snell’s addition, the Dodgers are positioned to enhance their pitching staff significantly for the upcoming season.
Snell’s new contract stands as the third-highest ever for a left-handed pitcher in MLB history, surpassed only by David Price’s contract with the Red Sox and Clayton Kershaw’s deal with the Dodgers. This marks a continuation of the Dodgers’ aggressive free agent strategy, as they have now secured five contracts worth over $100 million since the start of the offseason, a feat unmatched by the rest of the league.
After opting out of the final season of his prior contract with the San Francisco Giants, Snell faced challenges early in the 2024 season, struggling to find consistency. However, following a brief stint on the injured list, he turned his performance around dramatically, finishing the season with a commendable 3.12 ERA and 145 strikeouts over 20 starts.
During the second half of the season, he excelled, posting an impressive 1.23 ERA over 14 starts, including a historic no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, showcasing his elite pitching capabilities. Snell’s overall record stands at 76 wins and 58 losses with a 3.19 ERA across his nine years in Major League Baseball.
With the addition of Snell, the Dodgers’ rotation could become a formidable force, featuring stars like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Clayton Kershaw, among others. The team is also in the running to sign Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki, further strengthening their pitching staff.
The Dodgers are currently favored to win the 2025 World Series, with odds set at +400. While no MLB team has repeated as champions since the New York Yankees’ three consecutive titles from 1998 to 2000, this major signing positions the Dodgers as a top contender to break that trend.
This development symbolizes a significant moment in Snell’s career and presents an exciting opportunity for the Dodgers as they aim for continued success in the coming seasons. The potential of a strong, deep pitching staff gives fans hope for a successful title defense and possibly a new era of dominance in Major League Baseball.