The World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers have bolstered their rotation by signing star pitcher Blake Snell to a massive five-year, $182 million contract.
The deal, which includes a $52 million signing bonus, secures the two-time Cy Young Award winner as a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ pitching staff ahead of the 2025 MLB season.
Snell, a 31-year-old left-hander, confirmed the news on social media by posting an image of himself wearing a Dodgers jersey in a photoshopped stadium backdrop.
The signing marks a major addition to the reigning champs, who are building an elite rotation featuring Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani, who is expected to return to the mound.
The deal makes Snell’s contract the third-largest ever for a left-handed pitcher, trailing only David Price and Clayton Kershaw.
Snell joins a Dodgers team already stacked with pitching talent.
Ohtani, who didn’t pitch in 2024 after Tommy John surgery but still helped lead the team to a championship, is indeed expected to take the hill in 2025.
Meanwhile, Yamamoto, the standout Japanese hurler, has quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier arms.
Snell’s arrival cements a rotation that many believe will dominate the league.
The ace heads to Los Angeles following a strong season with the San Francisco Giants, where he opted out of a two-year, $62 million deal to test free agency.
In 2024, Snell posted a 5-3 record with a 3.12 ERA across 104 innings, striking out 145 batters and allowing just 65 hits.
His 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings marked a career high.
Snell was particularly dominant late in the season, closing out with a 1.23 ERA while holding opponents to an astonishing .123 batting average.
The resurgence came after overcoming injury setbacks early in the year, allowing him to finish as one of the most effective pitchers in the league as the season dwindled down.
The new contract will pay Snell approximately $697,585 per week over the next five years, highlighting the Dodgers’ commitment to securing top-tier talent.
The move almost doubles the annual value of his previous Giants deal, underscoring Snell’s rise in market value.
Despite securing Snell, the Dodgers appear far from done.
Reports suggest they are still pursuing New York Yankees free agent Juan Soto, who is seeking a deal worth upwards of $600 million.
Soto’s stellar 2024 season has attracted interest from multiple teams, including both New York teams, the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and the high-spending Dodgers.
With Snell’s signing, the Dodgers become the first team in MLB history to have 12 players with contracts exceeding $100 million in value…
What are your thoughts on Snell landing in LA?
Do you look at the Dodgers as significant favorites to repeat as World Series champs???
