Blake Snell Chose Dodgers Over AL East Contender, Says MLB Insider
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the Blake Snell sweepstakes this offseason after officially signing the Cy Young award-winning pitcher to a five-year, $182 million contract.
The Dodgers announced the signing on Saturday, but the deal was reported as early as Tuesday.
Los Angeles brought in Snell early in the offseason after Snell didn’t sign with the San Francisco Giants last offseason until March. Snell signed with the Giants on a two-year, $62 million deal, but opted out of the second year of his contract to become a free agent.
Like last year, the Dodgers were not the only team interested in signing Snell this fall.
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According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Boston Red Sox were another team heavily interested in Snell. Nightengale believes that the Dodgers were a much better fit for Snell than the Red Sox.
“I gotta think it was the Boston Red Sox,” Nightengale told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “The Red Sox really wanted Snell, and this is a much better deal for Snell in the sense that he’s from Seattle. He’s used to the West Coast. I’m not sure how he would have fared in Boston. That’s a tough place to pitch with the fans and everything else. I’m sure Corbin Burnes wanted to go there. It’s probably tough for Corbin Burnes to see Snell there, not him. No one doesn’t want to pitch at Dodger Stadium — it’s a great pitcher’s ballpark. And obviously, you know, you’re a World Series contender every single year.”
After missing the postseason this past year, the Red Sox have reportedly been looking to make a major signing to get back to October baseball. The Red Sox are reportedly one of the teams with significant interest in outfielder Juan Soto, who remains a free agent.
The Dodgers have landed Snell, who instantly improves an already talented rotation. They wanted to add a top starter this offseason, and have now successfully done so.
During the 2024 season, Snell went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA and 145 strikeouts over 20 starts. He pitched his first career no-hitter in August and posted a 1.23 ERA after the All-Star break.
Over his career, Snell is an All-Star, a two-time leader in ERA, and a two-time Cy Young award winner.
Photo Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
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I wonder if Snell considered the defensive liabilities that the Dodgers have currently……subpar or at par infielders at best….for a pitcher who feasts on ground balls, an interesting choice…
I’M A 50 YEARS DODGERS FAN. I’M EXCITED THAT WE NO LONGER HAVE TO FACE AN ELITE CLASS PITCHER LIKE SNELL. WE ALL REMEMBER WHEN HE HAD US BY THE NECK EVERYTIME HE FACED US. I’M NOT ACEBERMETRICTS KINDA FAN. I LOOK AT WHAT THE PLAYER HAS DONE LIFETIME AND HOW THEY PERFORM AGAINST US. CHECK THE FACTS AND ? RESPECT THIS FIRE-BRAND PITCHER. I KNOW THAT HE CAN PITCH. HE REMINDS ME OF ORAL HERSHIER. YES THE BULLDOG. HE’S COMPETITIVE AND I KNOW THAT HE FITS RIGHT IN TO THE DODGERS BRAND OF PITCHING
You realize they just won the World Series, right? I’m pretty sure he knew that, regardless… Winning cures many things
Lol we world series champ’s