As the Los Angeles Dodgers looked to bolster their starting rotation last offseason, they made an early splash by signing Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million contract.
The deal included a $52 million signing bonus, deferred salary and limited no-trade clause.
Snell’s first season with the Dodgers included missing three months because of a left-shoulder injury, but he ultimately played a key role in helping lead the team to a second consecutive World Series title.
Snell spent a total of 119 days on the injured list, which could potentially lengthen his stay with the Dodgers.
L.A. would pick up a $10 million club option for 2030 on Snell should he miss at least 90 days because of a specific injury and isn’t traded. It is unclear what injury the Dodgers were protecting themselves against, but it is likely related to the arm and/or shoulder.
Snell went 5-4 with a 2.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 10.6 strikeouts per nine in 61.1 innings pitched across 11 starts this past season.
The 32-year-old then turned in a 3-2 record with a 3.18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10.9 strikeouts per nine in six playoff appearances (five starts).
Dodgers prioritized signing Blake Snell for postseason
Snell’s ability to make an impact in the postseason is something the Dodgers strongly considered when they signed him.
“I’ve known Blake a long time,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently said.” Just getting a chance to watch that maturation over a 12-year period and seeing that growth, we felt really strongly that not only could he help us in the regular season in accomplishing that first goal, but what he would bring to our staff in October.
“Everyone wants to pitch in October. I think for some it is literally a part of their identity and what they yearn for more than anything. And I think Blake is one of those guys. So in talking to him early in the offseason, or even over the years, that part was clear.
“I think just he loves those moments. And just betting on the pitcher, the head, how much he cares was something that he was the No. 1 target for us in the offseason.”
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