Blake Snell shocked the baseball world on Tuesday night time when it was reported he was signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a five-year, $182 million deal.
Learn extra: Dodgers Signing Blake Snell to $182 Million Blockbuster Deal
Snell earned an enormous contract to affix the defending champs, and signed considerably earlier this offseason than he did final, when he joined the San Francisco Giants in late March.
With Snell in Los Angeles, the Dodgers now have arguably one of the best rotation in baseball, and are already loading as much as repeat in 2025. Snell’s former teammate wasn’t too glad together with his choice, although.
All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman, who additionally signed with the Giants final March and was prolonged towards the tip of the season, posted an Instagram image shortly after Snell signed with L.A. with one emoji because the caption: The snake emoji.
The account has since been deactivated, main individuals to take a position whether or not it was a faux account, or if Chapman simply determined to take away the publish and his account.
Whether it is Chapman, he seems to be calling Snell a “snake” for not solely leaving San Francisco after one yr, however becoming a member of their bitter Nationwide League West rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Snell opted out of the ultimate season of his two-year, $62 million deal to reenter free company this offseason. Whereas he didn’t earn the payday he needed final winter, it lastly got here this yr from the defending champs.
Extra information: Padres Amongst High Touchdown Spots for Dodgers Free Agent
It’s straightforward to grasp why Snell needed to simply accept the Dodgers supply.
Firstly, he will get to check in late November after ready all the way in which till the tip of spring coaching to signal final yr.
Secondly, he bought one of many richest contracts for a pitcher by way of common annual worth, getting $36.4 million per yr (though over $60 million was deferred and he bought a $52 million signing bonus).
And at last, he will get to affix the defending champs who’re thought-about the favorites to repeat in 2025, giving him a possibility to pitch essential baseball and vie for a World Collection.
He additionally will get to group up with Tyler Glasnow, who was his teammate in Tampa Bay. Oh, and he will get to stay in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers and Giants will play from June 13-15 in Los Angeles for his or her first sequence of 2025. Snell might probably get his first crack at going through Chapman and the remainder of his former teammates that sequence.
Photograph Credit score: Stan Szeto-Imagn Photos