The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially secured a five-year contract valued at $182 million with Blake Snell, a noteworthy addition to their roster. This announcement was made by the reigning World Series champions on Saturday, marking a significant move in the offseason. Snell, who is set to celebrate his 32nd birthday on Wednesday, had a standout season with the San Francisco Giants, posting a record of 5-3 along with an impressive 3.12 earned run average (ERA) over 20 games. Notably, he threw a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds on August 2nd, contributing to the 16 individual shutouts recorded in Major League Baseball this season. In total, Snell achieved 145 strikeouts while allowing 44 walks throughout 104 innings of play.
Despite facing some injury setbacks, including a strained left adductor that kept him out from April 19 to May 22, and a strained left groin that sidelined him from June 2 to July 9, Snell performed admirably when on the mound. Under the terms of the agreement, Snell will receive a $52 million signing bonus due on January 20, along with annual salaries of $26 million, with $13 million of that amount deferred each year. It is worth noting that, as a resident of Washington state, he will not incur California income tax on his signing bonus.
In joining the Dodgers, Snell will be part of a formidable pitching rotation that includes Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Although Ohtani did not pitch this past season due to recovery from right elbow surgery, he is anticipated to return to the mound in 2025, enhancing the team’s competitive edge.
Blake Snell’s accolades include winning the Cy Young Award twice, first in 2018 while with the Tampa Bay Rays and again in 2023 as a member of the San Diego Padres. Over his nine-year career in Major League Baseball, he has achieved a win-loss record of 76-58 along with a 3.19 ERA, showcasing his evolution as a top pitcher for various teams, including the Rays, Padres, and Giants.
As Snell declined a qualifying offer from San Diego in the previous November, the Giants were not in a position to extend another qualifying offer, meaning that they will not receive draft-pick compensation for his departure to the Dodgers. This deal solidifies Snell’s prominent role within a Dodgers team aiming to maintain their championship status.
