ESPN: The Yankees lose out on an outstanding starting pitcher, Following the Dodgers’ mega-deal
The Yankees held a Zoom meeting with ace left-handed pitcher Blake Snell on Tuesday night in an attempt to sign him, putting them in serious competition for his services. But in the end, Snell agreed to a five-year, $182 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which included no opt-out clauses and several incentives for him to move west.
Snell picked the better team and, perhaps, the better circumstances, even if the Yankees are obviously prioritizing 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 Prefers the Dodgers over the Yankees
An already strong Dodgers rotation is enhanced by the 31-year-old lefty’s arrival. Snell threw 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 a 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 playoff performance, even though the $182 million price tag was hefty. Snell chose to join a club that recently won the World Series and is poised to dominate again in 2025, which is unfortunate for New York.
The Rotation of the Dodgers: A Factor to Consider
The Dodgers now have one of the most fearsome rotations in baseball with Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in addition to Shohei Ohtani. Roki Sasaki, another foreign talent considering his options in Major League Baseball, might possibly join the squad. 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 freedom 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.
Options for the Yankees’ Next Steps The table is still in place.
The Yankees’ quest for a premier starter will not stop if they are unable to get Snell. Jack Flaherty, Max Fried, and Corbin Burnes are among the high-quality arms that are still available. None provide nearly the same degree of dominance or consistency as Snell, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The Yankees may 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.
An Expensive Cost, Yet a Lost Chance
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 additional titles.
