The Los Angeles Dodgers made a significant move to bolster their starting rotation by signing left-hander Blake Snell to a lucrative five-year, $182 million contract. This high-profile acquisition starts the “anticipated” high-spending spree for the defending champions. With the rotation being a significant question mark, Dave Roberts‘ team gets a two-time Cy Young winner. Blake Snell, who turns 32 on December 4, joins a Dodger staff with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow. The Dodgers added one major starting pitcher, which may not be the last significant starting pitcher to join the West Coast powerhouse, in an attempt to defend their 2024 World Series title.
Blake Snell
Blake Snell, a two-time ERA champion, showcased his exceptional pitching skills over the past two seasons. The former Tampa Bay Ray faced the Dodgers in the 2020 World Series. He pitched 10 innings, allowing three earned runs in two games. With the San Diego Padres, Snell pitched well, particularly in 2022. His hard-to-hit pitches made him a Cy Young winner in 2022, with an H/9 of 5.8, the best in the league. Last season, Snell pitched 20 games with the San Francisco Giants, having an ERA of 3.12 and 1.048 WHIP. Incredibly, Snellzilla also threw a no-hitter, his first-ever complete game, as well as a shutout. Although 2023 was not his best year, the Dodgers found his value to be enough to sign him.
Changing the Market
The $182 million deal highlights both Snell’s talent and the market’s recognition of his value. Furthermore, it is among the most significant contracts awarded to pitchers in recent years. Snell’s AAV will be $36.4 million annually; however, the contract consists of deferred money. In retrospect, Gerrit Cole‘s contract is at 36 million dollars per year, while Jacob deGrom is at $37 million per year. With other starting pitchers such as Max Fried and Corbin Burnes, both expect to turn around, if not more money than the two-time Cy Young winner. Both Fried and Burnes have been tabbed to the Dodgers in numerous rumors.
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