LOS ANGELES — Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, recently expressed that choosing to sign with the reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, was a straightforward decision. The affiliation with three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani also played a significant role in his choice.
On Tuesday, Snell was formally introduced at Dodger Stadium, standing alongside his agent Scott Boras. The left-handed pitcher finalized a lucrative five-year contract worth $182 million last Saturday. “It was a really easy decision because my girlfriend Haeley and I wanted to live here, something we’ve been discussing for a while,” Snell noted. He further praised the team’s robust structure and goals, stating, “You look at what they’ve built, what they’re doing. It’s just something you want to be a part of.”
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Snell opted out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants to enter the free-agent market for the second consecutive year, following an injury-plagued season with the team. His new contract entails a notable signing bonus of $52 million, which will be distributed on January 25. He will receive an annual salary of $26 million, with $13.2 million deferred each year. Being a resident of Washington state means that his signing bonus will not be subjected to the income tax relevant in California.
Discussing the decision-making process, Snell stated, “It just played out the way that people around me felt comfortable with, I felt comfortable with, they felt comfortable with. We talked and found something that could work for both of us.” He added, “You want your worth, you want your respect, and you want enough time to where you can really make a name for yourself. I’ve made a name for myself outside of LA, but I’m going to be invested.”
Ohtani, who inked an unprecedented 10-year, $700 million contract a year prior, had a groundbreaking season with the Dodgers. He was instrumental in securing the franchise’s eighth World Series title while exclusively playing as a designated hitter. Moreover, Ohtani was awarded the National League MVP title for the first time, following two previous victories in the American League.
“It’s a significant motivation to have him in the lineup,” remarked Snell about Ohtani. “You want to be around players like that when you’re striving to be one of the best in the game. Yes, it played a big part.”
With Snell now part of the squad, he joins Ohtani and Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto at the top of the Dodgers’ pitching rotation. They will be reinforced by All-Star Tyler Glasnow, who is set to return after struggling with a sprained elbow that hindered his debut season in LA. Although Ohtani did not pitch this year due to recovery from right elbow surgery, he is anticipated to return to the mound in 2025.
The rest of the rotation will include players such as Tony Gonsolin, Landon Knack, Dustin May, Bobby Miller, and Emmet Sheehan. “I’ve adapted to various rotation styles—six-man, five-man, four-man. I am flexible as long as we have a plan to execute,” Snell stated.
At 31, Snell had a season record of 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA across 20 starts, which included a notable no-hitter against Cincinnati on August 2. He accumulated 145 strikeouts and walked 44 across 104 innings, although he faced setbacks due to injuries that sidelined him for parts of the season.
Having previously won Cy Young Awards in 2018 with Tampa Bay and in 2023 with San Diego, Snell holds a career record of 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA, spanning nine seasons with the Rays, Padres, and Giants. His long-standing relationship with Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, dates back to when Snell was just 18 years old.
After the Dodgers clinched the World Series, Friedman expressed enthusiasm about re-signing Snell, saying, “All conversations kept coming back to Blake.” He added, “In major league free agency, you typically acquire players in the latter stages of their careers. With Blake, what excites us is that, despite his achievements, we believe there’s more potential ahead.”
In his career, Snell has recorded a 2-2 record against the Dodgers. “We couldn’t beat him, so we’re going to have him join us,” Friedman remarked.