Dodgers Start Offseason Strong with Blake Snell Signing

The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their offseason by doing what they do best: signing a major star to a huge contract, much to the chagrin of fans from other teams. This week, they added free agent pitcher Blake Snell to their roster with a $182 million deal, reinforcing their rotation with another ace.

Addressing a Key Weakness
This significant move addresses a critical concern for the Dodgers – starting pitching depth, which was a major issue during the 2024 season and playoffs due to injuries. The team struggled to maintain a healthy pitching staff, and the addition of Snell is a strategic effort to prevent similar issues next season.

Bolstering the Rotation
Snell’s arrival, along with the return of Shohei Ohtani to the mound post-Tommy John surgery, adds substantial talent to a rotation that already includes Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw, and other high-potential arms. If everything goes as planned, this could be the best starting rotation in baseball on paper.


More Moves Possible
There’s also speculation about the Dodgers pursuing Roki Sasaki, further bolstering their roster. However, it's worth noting that pitching plans often don’t go as expected, especially given the Dodgers' recent injury history.

Injury Concerns Remain
Nearly every starting pitcher on the Dodgers’ staff has faced significant injury issues. Ohtani has undergone two Tommy John surgeries, and Snell has only exceeded 24 starts in a season three times. Glasnow’s durability is also a question mark, having never started more than 22 games in a season. Additionally, Kershaw, Dustin May, and Bobby Miller have all had their share of recent issues.

Prepared for Uncertainty
​Given these concerns, it’s likely that some of these pitchers will miss time or be limited next season. The Dodgers’ strategy to counter this is clear: acquire as many quality pitchers as possible. Fortunately, the Dodgers have the resources to make high-end acquisitions, and they seem determined to build a formidable rotation