The Los Angeles Dodgers and Blake Snell agreed to terms late Tuesday night on a reported five-year, $182 million contract. Snell is the first big domino to fall in an otherwise slow-developing free agency thus far, which has become the norm recently.
Last offseason, the two-time Cy Young winner didn’t have his market truly develop and thus wasn’t signed until after Spring Training began.
Snell had hoped to receive a long-term deal but caved and joined the San Francisco Giants on a two-year, $62 million contract. Snell’s contract included a player option for 2025, which he declined and became a free agent for the second consecutive offseason.
While the left-hander went on to agree to a Dodgers contract, the Giants still owe a signing bonus to Snell, which he will receive in 2026, according to Ronald Blum of the Associated Press:
The left-hander agreed in March to a $62 million, two-year contract that included a $17 million signing bonus payable on Jan. 15, 2026, a $15 million salary for 2024 and a $30 million salary for 2025, of which $15 million would have been deferred and payable on July 1, 2027.
In addition to a signing bonus coming from the Giants, Snell also received one as part of his Dodgers contract. Details include deferred salary as well, and a limited no-trade clause.
Snell gives the Dodgers the one high-end starting pitcher they were said to be targeting this offseason.
He was hindered by his delayed start to 2024 but rebounded quite well as the season went along. Snell pitched to a 1.45 ERA and had 103 strikeouts in 68.1 innings over 12 starts after the All-Star break.
Dodgers rotation with Blake Snell
Assuming health, which with the Dodgers is a risky proposition, their rotation will be led by a trio of Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Snell.
The group could potentially grow to include Garrett Crochet as well, with reports suggesting they remain involved in a potential trade for the Chicago White Sox ace.
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