Los Angeles (AP) Signing with the World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers was a very simple choice for two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snellsays, and the presence of three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani also played a role.
Snell and his agent, Scott Boras, were introduced at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. Last Saturday, the left-hander signed a five-year, $182 million contract.
In reference to his fiancée, Snell stated, “It was really easy just because me and Haeley wanted to live here, it’s something we’ve been talking about for a while.” Next, you examine the team. You observe what they have constructed and are doing. It’s simply something you wish to participate in.
After being hindered by injuries during his one season with the San Francisco Giants, Snell decided to opt out of his contract with the team last month, becoming a free agent for the second straight offseason.
Snell receives $26 million in salary annually, of which $13.2 million is deferred, and a $52 million signing bonus that is due on January 25. Snell will not be liable for California income tax on the signing bonus because he resides in Washington state.
Snell explained that it simply unfolded in a way that made me, others around me, and myself feel at ease. After considerable discussion, we came up with a solution that would benefit us both. You want to be respected, you want to feel valuable, and you want enough time to establish yourself. I’m going to be invested, but I’ve established a reputation outside of LA.
Ohtani, a two-way star, had a historic first season with the Dodgers after agreeing to a record $700 million, ten-year contract a year ago. After earning MVP twice in the American League, he became the first player to win the honor in the National League and helped the team win its eighth World Series while solely playing as a designated hitter.
Without a doubt, having him in the lineup helps. Snell stated, “That’s a big motivation.” If you want to be among the best in the game, you want to be around players like that. Yes, it was a major factor.
Snell joins Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, another Japanese right-hander, at the top of the Los Angeles rotation. After suffering a damaged elbow that ended his debut season in Los Angeles, All-Star Tyler Glasnow will return.
Ohtani is anticipated to return to the mound in 2025 after missing this season due to recuperation following surgery on his right elbow.
Dustin May, Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan, Landon Knack, and Tony Gonsolin make up the remainder of the rotation.
According to Snell, I threw on rotations with six, five, and four men. As long as we have a plan and follow it, I’m okay with anything.
Snell, who turns 32 on Wednesday, has made 20 starts this season and is 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA. On August 2, he threw a no-hitter at Cincinnati, one of just 16 big league shutouts this season. In 104 innings, he walked 44 and struck out 145.
A strained left adductor kept him out of action from April 19 to May 22, and a strained left groin kept him out of action from June 2 to July 9.
With Tampa Bay in 2018 and San Diego in 2023, Snell took home Cy Young Awards. In nine seasons with the Rays (2016–20), Padres (2021–23), and Giants, he is 76–58 with a 3.19 ERA.
Since he was eighteen, he has known Andrew Friedman, the president of baseball operations for the Dodgers.
“Every conversation kept coming back to Blake after the Dodgers won the World Series and talked about how they could do it again next year,” Friedman said.
He stated that in major league free agency, you typically purchase a player’s career history and achievements. One thing that excites us about Blake is that, despite his success, we believe there is still more to come.
During his career, Snell has a 2-2 record against the Dodgers.
Friedman declared, “We’re going to have him join us because we couldn’t beat him.”
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