The Dodgers made another successful signing.
The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers have made a major splash, agreeing to a blockbuster five-year, $182 million deal with two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.
The deal, which includes a $52 million signing bonus, positions the Dodgers as favorites to retain their title while strengthening their already stacked pitching rotation.
Per New York Post columnist Jon Heyman, Snell’s deal includes no opt-outs or no-trade clauses, though it does feature assignment bonuses if he is traded. Additionally, the contract includes $62 million in deferred payments.
Snell, 31, is coming off a solid season with the San Francisco Giants. After a slow start, Snell picked up his pace and ended the season posting a 3.12 ERA, a 1.048 WHIP, and a 5-3 record over 20 starts.
While his stint with the Giants was brief, Snell’s 2023 campaign with the San Diego Padres was sensational, earning him his second Cy Young Award. That season, he delivered a 14-9 record, 2.25 ERA, and racked up 234 strikeouts in 180 innings.
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According to reports, the Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles were in serious contention for Snell, but the 31-year-old picked Los Angeles as his next destination. Notably, the Boston Red Sox now have shifted focus to Max Fried as their top target following Snell’s decision.
Snell’s inclusion adds yet another weapon to the Dodgers’ powerhouse rotation, which already features Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and rising star Bobby Miller.
Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto has also joined the fold, and Shohei Ohtani will contribute as a pitcher once fully fit.
The defending champions are also hot favorites to sign Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki.
Image Credit: Katie Stratman / USA TODAY NETWORK
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