The Dodgers will have a new ace — or another one, depending on how one looks at it — in 2025. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is joining the Dodgers, and reports indicate he signed a five-year deal worth nearly $200MM. Snell will re-unite with former Rays teammate Tyler Glasnow and look to form a dominant rotation in Los Angeles.
A Look at Snell
Four years ago, Blake Snell was controversially removed from Game 6 of the 2020 World Series after he struck nine over his first 5.1 IP. Now, he’ll join the Dodgers after an odyssey.
Snell was traded after that 2020 season to the Padres. He walked 69 over 128 frames in his first season with San Diego, returned to form in the second half of 2022, then put up an incredible season in 2023 to win his second Cy Young. Snell struck out 234 over 180 innings that season, opposite a NL-high 99 walks.
The left-hander was poised to cash in last winter but didn’t sign until March 18, days before the official start of the 2024 season, with San Francisco. Snell debuted as a Giant on April 8 but only made six starts over the first three months. A left adductor strain and groin strain slowed the 31-year-old down.
From July onward, there arguably wasn’t a better starter in the MLB than Snell. Snell struck a league-high 103 batters in the second half, and his 1.45 ERA was tops among pitchers with 50 or more innings.
His 2024 campaign not only put him on track to get paid in 2024 but also gave him a record all to his own. Snell passed Chris Sale to become the all-time leader in K/9 (11.2). So, what exactly does Snell do so well.
It really all starts with a power fastball. Snell can gas it up to the high-90s with a four-seamer with elite IVB (18.7”), a pitch that carries on hitters and is highly effective up in the zone.
He’ll pair that with a good changeup that differs in speed with the fastball by about 10 MPH. Snell’s curveball jumps to the glove side, almost five inches in above-average movement. The lefty’s curveball had a ridiculous 56.3% Whiff% on the pitch and 2023 and only(!) a 49.8% Whiff% on it this past season.
The lone weakness in Snell’s game is walks. But, consider that more of a flaw by design. Snell looks to get hitters to chase with his elite stuff. Thus, Snell will regularly throw pitches of the zone on purpose. Sometimes, it’ll bite him. On the other hand, his command isn’t a significant problem, despite the high walk rates.
He doesn’t make many mistakes in the zone. Snell allowed 21 home runs — six in 2024 — over the last two seasons.
Per reports, Blake Snell signed a five-year, $182MM deal with the Dodgers. Snell confirmed he’s going to Los Angeles via Instagram.
Analysis
The $36.4MM average annual puts Snell fourth in the Majors in that category among starting pitchers — and third if one doesn’t count Shohei Ohtani. Among the top seven, four are Dodgers (Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell).
It’s a massive haul for a two-time Cy Young Award winner who’s excelled wherever he’s pitched. And despite the names listed above, the Dodgers still actually needed starting pitching this winter.
Walker Buehler became a free agent and will look to cash in after a strong October. Clayton Kershaw, also a free agent, may return to LA but faces a lengthy rehab. Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin are names to look for to return in 2025 after the two missed all of 2024. Gavin Stone (shoulder) and River Ryan (elbow) will miss all of next season.
Then, there’s Bobby Miller. Miller showcased electric stuff at times but struggled significantly with controlling it.
Oh, and don’t forget the likes of Landon Knack and Ben Casparius. The two have significant starting experience in the Minors.
By adding Snell, the Dodgers can now line up a potential six-man rotation — once Ohtani is ready — that can give hitters so many different looks. Yes, virtually all of them throw hard. However, all have different arsenals and have a knack for throwing hitters off and getting them to miss. Plus, each starter has a different mix of pitches.
Snell has the power curveball. Yamamoto has a strong curveball and splitter, to go along with a power fastball. Glasnow, like Snell, is a power pitcher with a unique, cutting four-seam fastball and hard breaking stuff. Ohtani has a plus-plus sweeper. One can go on and on.
The Dodgers have built themselves a powerhouse, to say the least.