Breaking: Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and the Dodgers are in agreement on a five-year, $182 million contract, pending physical, sources tell @JeffPassan and @jorgecastillo.
Blake Snell signs a five-year deal with the Dodgers
Photo credit: Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2024, 07:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 27, 2024, 03:59 EST
The Los Angeles Dodgers have once again signed a top free agent.
Multiple sources reported late Tuesday evening that Blake Snell signed a five-year deal worth $182 million with the Dodgers.
As has been the case with most Dodgers signings the past two off-seasons, some of that money is deferred to cheapen the annual average value, about $60 million according to LATimes’ Jack Harris.
A few more details on Blake Snell’s contract with Dodgers: — About $60 million will be deferred — If the Dodgers were to trade Snell, he would be paid an additional $5 million by the team
Blake Snell's contract with the Dodgers includes a $52 million signing bonus and some deferred money, per source
The Dodgers are getting a good pitcher in Snell, who was seen as one of the top pitchers in free agency. Last season with the San Francisco Giants, he had a 3.12 ERA and a 2.43 FIP in 104 innings pitched and came off a National League Cy Young Award in 2023. That season with the San Diego Padres, Snell had a 2.25 ERA and a 3.44 FIP in 180 innings pitched for his second career Cy Young Award.
It was believed that the Blue Jays were interested in Snell, as well as the recently signed Yusei Kikuchi. However, the best left-handed starter on the market is Max Fried, who Bob Nightengale says the Boston Red Sox will turn their attention to.
The Boston Red Sox, who were in on Blake Snell, now are focusing on Max Fried to upgrade their rotation.
Signing a pitcher to a deal worth $182 million takes the Dodgers out of the running for Juan Soto, right? Well according to New York Post’s Jon Heyman, they appear to still be in on him, albeit not as favourites.
Dodgers don’t appear to be out on Juan Soto even now. Hard to see them as a favorite however. Even this juggernaut of a team with a great business model and huge revenue has to have limits, no?
In a recent article for The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal noted that Snell’s signing won’t be the last big one, as the Winter Meeting appears like it’ll be a “Scott Boras Fest”, as the super agent represents players such as Corbin Burnes, Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, and Juan Soto. Rosenthal also notes that the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and the New York Mets and Yankees are “raring to go”.
If the Blue Jays go down the “sign a starting pitcher” route, the two best available pitchers are Max Fried and Corbin Burnes. Unlike Snell, both have the loss of a draft pick included in the signing, but Fried fits best as the Blue Jays lack a left-handed starter in their rotation.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.