Snell Shuffle: Dodgers Deal: Dodgers Land Snell in Blockbuster Move
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is heading to Los Angeles.
The Dodgers have reportedly agreed to a $182 million contract with the left-handed ace, ending weeks of speculation.
A Big Swing: Addressing Pitching Needs
The five-year deal, which reportedly includes a $52 million signing bonus and around $60 million in deferred salary, comes after the Dodgers had a thin starting rotation despite winning the World Series in October. The Dodgers were forced to rely on their bullpen more often than preferred in 2024. With 2023 arm’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow missing long stretches due to injury and 2024 NL MVP Shohei Ohtani dependent on slow rehabilitation from Tommy John Surgery.
Snell:
The 31-year-old’s addition raises the Dodgers’ World Series odds considerably. Snell boasts a 76-58 record with a 3.19 ERA across nine seasons and 211 starts in MLB annals.
He is only one of seven pitchers in MLB history to win the Cy Young
Award in both the American and National leagues. Snell won with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 and the San Diego Padres in 2023.
**A New Chapter
How does Blake Snell’s injury history factor into the risk for the Dodgers in this $182 million deal?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is baseball analyst Sarah Johnson to discuss the blockbuster signing of Blake Snell by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sarah, welcome.
**Sarah:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** Sarah, this was a big move for the Dodgers. They’ve got a very deep farm system but clearly wanted to go out and get an established ace. Is this the right move for them?
**Host:** On paper, it seems like a slam dunk. That said, with so much money tied up in this contract and Snell’s history of injury, do you think the Dodgers are setting themselves up for potential problems down the road?
**Sarah:**
**Host:** That’s a good point. Do you think this move puts them over the top as World Series favorites?
**Host:** Do you think fans will be happy with this move long term? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. We’ll be right back after the break!
What are your thoughts? Will this $182 million gamble pay off for the Dodgers, or are they setting themselves up for future financial headaches?
