Blake Snell, Dodgers agree to five-year, $182 million contract

November 27, 2024 5:07 p.m. • Last updated: November 27, 2024 5:07 p.m.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Blake Snell works against the Atlanta Braves during a game in San Francisco August 12. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo)

Less than a month after winning the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are spending big again to add one of baseball’s best pitchers to their all-star roster.

Blake Snell and the Dodgers have agreed to a five-year, $182 million contract, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday evening because the deal is subject to a successful physical examination.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner personally announced the news by posting a photo of himself on social media in a Dodgers uniform – No. 7.

Snell would join two-way star Shohei Ohtani and fellow Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto at the top of Los Angeles’ rotation, giving the Dodgers the first mega-contract this offseason after Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract and Yamamoto’s $325 million over 12 years last. offseason.

Ohtani did not pitch this year as he recovers from right elbow surgery, but is expected to return to the mound in 2025. He won his third MVP award – the first in the National League – after a huge season at the plate exclusively as a designated hitter.

Yamamoto went 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 18 starts as a rookie, then won twice in four outings in October.

With only three healthy starting pitchers in the postseason, Los Angeles overcame a rash of injuries to its projected rotation by winning the franchise’s second World Series title in five years.

Right-handers Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler then became free agents this fall, creating even more voids on the staff. But adding Snell would fill a great spot at the top with a legitimate ace.

Snell’s $36.4 million average salary would rank fifth among active deals next year behind Ohtani ($70 million), Philadelphia pitcher Zack Wheeler ($42 million), New York Yankees Aaron Judge ($40 million) and Texas pitcher Jacob deGrom ($37 million). million). Among expired contracts, he was also surpassed by pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander (both $43.33 million) in deals with the New York Mets.

ESPN first reported the details of Snell’s contract.

Earlier this month, Snell opted out of his contract with San Francisco to become a free agent for the second straight offseason after being slowed by injuries during his lone year with the Giants.

The left-hander agreed to a two-year, $62 million contract in March that included a $17 million signing bonus payable Jan. 15, 2026, a $15 million salary through 2024 and a $30 million salary. dollars for 2025, of which $15 million would have been deferred and payable on July 1, 2027.

Snell, who turns 32 next week, went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 20 starts this year, throwing a no-hitter at Cincinnati on Aug. 2 for one of 16 individual shutouts in the major leagues this season. He struck out 145 and walked 44 in 104 innings.

He was sidelined between April 19 and May 22 with a left adductor strain and between June 2 and July 9 with a left groin strain.

Snell won Cy Young Awards in 2018 with Tampa Bay and in 2023 with San Diego. He is 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA in nine seasons with the Rays (2016-20), Padres (2021-23) and Giants.

Because he turned down a qualifying offer from San Diego last November, the Giants were not eligible to give Snell another one and will not receive draft compensation.

Los Angeles expects All-Star right-hander Tyler Glasnow and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw to return to the rotation next year. Other starting candidates, if healthy, include right-handers Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Bobby Miller.

Ohtani is coming off right elbow surgery in September 2023 and left shoulder surgery on November 5.

Glasnow did not pitch after August 11 due to tendonitis in his right elbow.

Kershaw, who turns 37 in March, underwent foot and knee surgery on November 7. He declined a $10 million player option in favor of free agency, but is expected to return to Los Angeles.

May is returning from Tommy John surgery in July 2023 and an operation last July to repair a tear in her esophagus.

Gonsolin spent 2024 rehabilitating after Tommy John surgery.

Miller, an 11-game winner as a rookie in 2023, was sidelined early in the season with shoulder inflammation. He struggled to a 2-4 record with an 8.52 ERA in 13 big league starts and finished the regular season in the minors.

Yamamoto was sidelined with a right triceps strain between June 15 and September 10, then returned and went 2–0 with a 3.86 ERA in four postseason starts.