The Los Angeles Dodgers significantly bolstered nearly every facet of their lineup during this offseason and are poised to have the most formidable starting rotation in Major League Baseball.
However, pitching is an area that always demands caution, considering its inherent unpredictability. Harold Reynolds of MLB Network hinted that the Dodgers might be interested in acquiring two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.
“In my opinion, a surprise contender for Snell could be the Dodgers,” Reynolds stated while discussing potential destinations for Snell. “Especially after the Dylan Cease acquisition, and considering other factors like Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s performance this Spring being less than stellar, the absence of Clayton Kershaw, and Walker Buehler still not being fully recovered.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers Might Consider Blake Snell a Stopgap for the 2024 Rotation
Reynolds pointed out that the San Diego Padres, a division rival, made a significant move by acquiring Dylan Cease, thus strengthening their own rotation. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ investment of $325 million in Yamamoto has yielded mixed results during the preseason, with an alarming 8.38 ERA over 9.2 innings across three starts.
Despite the impressive lineup the Dodgers boast on paper, it is susceptible to injuries. Kershaw is currently recovering from left shoulder surgery and aims to return sometime during the upcoming summer, while Buehler anticipates a delayed start to the season. Additionally, two of their recent pitching acquisitions, Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton, have extensive injury histories of their own.
In essence, pitching rotations are inherently precarious, and if the Dodgers seek more assurance that their arms can carry them to the postseason, Snell would offer valuable insurance. His stellar performance last season, leading the MLB with a 2.25 ERA in 32 starts and securing his second Cy Young Award, along with All-MLB first team honors, underscores his reliability.
Blake Snell Is Now Seeking $66 Million Deal
The Dodgers would likely not be in contention for Snell if he were seeking a long-term contract. However, it seems he is now considering a shorter-term deal that would enable him to revisit free agency soon.
According to Bob Nightengale’s report in USA Today, Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, has expressed willingness to sign a short-term contract with the Houston Astros. He is seeking a minimum two-year guarantee of $66 million, with an opt-out option after the 2024 season.
Given this development, the Dodgers might view Snell as an appealing interim solution for the 2024 season. This could be especially beneficial as other starting pitchers recover from injuries, Yamamoto adjusts to facing MLB hitters, and Shohei Ohtani takes a hiatus from pitching.
Doug McKain, writing for Dodgers Nation, suggested that if Snell opts for a shorter-term deal, the Dodgers could explore the possibility of bringing him on board. They could negotiate a multi-year contract that allows Snell to opt out after the current season. This arrangement could provide a bridge for the team while also adding depth to their pitching rotation.
However, if the Dodgers decide against pursuing Snell, they may face stiffer competition within their division. Nightengale reported that the San Francisco Giants are still in contention for Snell and are monitoring the situation to see if his asking price decreases.
