On Tuesday night, the Yankees made a serious run for the services of superstar left-handed pitcher Blake Snell, even meeting with him via Zoom. But in the end, Snell agreed to a five-year, $182 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which had no opt-out clauses and several incentives for him to move west.
Snell went with the better team and, perhaps, the better circumstances, even if the Yankees are obviously emphasizing improvements to their pitching staff. It’s difficult to disagree with his choice given that the Dodgers are establishing what appears to be a dynasty.
Snell Chooses Dodgers Over Yankees
An already strong Dodgers rotation is enhanced by the 31-year-old lefty’s presence. Snell pitched 104 innings with a 3.12 ERA in 2024 while making 20 starts for the San Francisco Giants. He recorded a 70.9% left-on-base rate, a 42% ground ball rate, and an outstanding 12.55 strikeouts per nine innings. He demonstrated his worth as one of the top arms on the market with his performances, earning him 3.1 WAR.
Along with a $52 million signing bonus and deferred money that allows Los Angeles to continue adding players to their roster, Snell’s five-year contract with the Dodgers averages $36.4 million per season. Snell will stay in the league until his age-37 season thanks to this contract.
The Yankees’ interest in Snell demonstrated their desire to strengthen their rotation following a poor postseason performance, even though the $182 million price tag was hefty. Snell chose to join a team that recently won the World Series and is poised to dominate again in 2025, which is unfortunate for New York.
Dodgers’ Rotation: A Force to Be Reckoned With
The Dodgers now have one of the most formidable rotations in baseball with Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in addition to Shohei Ohtani. Roki Sasaki, another international talent considering his options in Major League Baseball, could possibly join the team. The Dodgers easily won a championship in 2024 despite injuries to some of their key starters, and their most recent actions indicate they are far from finished.
High-end skill and financial flexibility have combined to make Los Angeles an embarrassment of wealth. The Dodgers are putting together a team that has the potential to be among the greatest in baseball history, and that statement is not hyperbole.
Yankees’ Next Moves: Options Still on the Table
The Yankees’ quest for a premier starter will not end if they are unable to acquire Snell. Jack Flaherty, Max Fried, and Corbin Burnes are among the high-quality arms that are still available. None offer quite the same degree of dominance or consistency as Snell, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The Yankees might also search the trade market, but it might be difficult to locate a less expensive candidate with comparable potential. The front staff in New York realizes they need more players to match the firepower in Los Angeles after falling to the Dodgers in the World Series.
A Hefty Price, But a Missed Opportunity
Snell’s average yearly salary of $36.4 million may appear high, but opportunity plays a bigger role in his choice to join the Dodgers than money. Los Angeles provides the opportunity to join a historic franchise, a climate that is more favorable for pitching longevity, and an instant chance at more championships.
Snell’s choice is a lost chance for the Yankees to fill a clear need at the top of their rotation. They must now make a swift change to stay ahead in a cutthroat off-season market. The Yankees must act quickly if they want to be competitive with the Dodgers and other top teams.
