Blake Snell Joins Dodgers with Five-Year, $182 Million Deal

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, one of the top free-agent pitchers this offseason, has agreed to a five-year, $182 million contract with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, as reported by MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. While the team has yet to confirm the news, Snell posted a picture of himself in a Dodgers uniform on his Instagram account, hinting at the move.

Free Agency Journey
Snell, who was a free agent for the second consecutive offseason, opted out of the final year of his two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. His first foray into free agency came after leading the MLB with a 2.25 ERA and recording 234 strikeouts over 180 innings with the San Diego Padres in 2023. This performance earned him his second career Cy Young Award, making him the seventh pitcher to win the award in both leagues.

Early Struggles and Impressive Comeback
After lingering on the free-agent market throughout the winter and into Spring Training, Snell signed with the Giants shortly before Opening Day in March. Without a regular preseason buildup, he struggled early in the season, posting a 9.51 ERA over his first six starts and landing on the injured list twice due to a left adductor strain and a left groin strain.

Upon returning from his second IL stint, Snell found his Cy Young form once again. He delivered an impressive stretch, posting a 1.23 ERA with 114 strikeouts, 30 walks, and a .123 opponents’ batting average over 80 1/3 innings in his final 14 starts. His standout performance included an 11-strikeout no-hitter against the Reds on August 2, marking the first complete game of his career.

Career Highlights and Challenges
Inconsistency and durability have been challenges throughout Snell's career, partly due to his high walk rate (lifetime 4.1 BB/9). However, when at his best, Snell has proven to be one of the toughest pitchers in the game. Selected by the Tampa Bay Rays with the 52nd overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, Snell debuted in the majors in 2016 with a 3.54 ERA over 19 starts. He won his first Cy Young Award in 2018 with a 21-5 record, an American League-leading 1.89 ERA, and 221 strikeouts over 180 2/3 innings.

Traded to the Padres in December 2020, Snell initially struggled but improved in 2022, culminating in his second Cy Young Award in 2023. Over his nine-season career, Snell has a 3.19 ERA and an 11.2 K/9, the all-time record among pitchers with at least 1,000 innings.

​Future with the DodgersAs Snell joins the Dodgers, he aims to bring his dominant pitching to a team fresh off a World Series victory. With his proven track record and renewed form, Snell is poised to be a key player in Los Angeles' rotation.