Less than a month after clinching the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are once again making a significant investment to bolster their already formidable roster. Blake Snell and the Dodgers have reached an agreement on a $182 million, five-year contract, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The source spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday night as the deal is pending a successful physical examination.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner announced the news himself by sharing a photo on social media of himself donning a Dodgers uniform – number 7. Snell's addition would place him alongside two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani and fellow Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto at the top of Los Angeles' rotation. This move marks the first major deal of the offseason for the Dodgers, following Ohtani's $700 million, 10-year contract and Yamamoto's $325 million, 12-year deal last winter.

Ohtani, who underwent right elbow surgery and is expected to return to the mound in 2025, claimed his third MVP award – his first in the National League – after a stellar season as a designated hitter. Yamamoto, on the other hand, had a successful rookie year, going 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 18 starts, and then won twice in four postseason appearances.

The Dodgers, who were down to just three healthy starting pitchers during the postseason, managed to secure their second World Series title in five years despite a series of injuries to their projected rotation. With right-handers Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler becoming free agents this fall, the team was in need of reinforcements. Snell's acquisition fills a critical void at the top of the rotation with a bona fide ace.

Snell's $36.4 million average annual salary would rank as the fifth-highest among active contracts next year, behind Ohtani ($70 million), Philadelphia pitcher Zack Wheeler ($42 million), New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge ($40 million), and Texas pitcher Jacob deGrom ($37 million). Among expired contracts, it also falls short of the deals signed by pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander (both $43.33 million) with the New York Mets.

ESPN was the first to report the specifics of Snell's contract. Earlier this month, Snell opted out of his deal with San Francisco to become a free agent for the second consecutive offseason after dealing with injuries during his time with the Giants. The left-hander had agreed in March to a $62 million, two-year contract that included a $17 million signing bonus payable on January 15, 2026, a $15 million salary for 2024, and a $30 million salary for 2025, with $15 million deferred and payable on July 1, 2027.

Snell, who turns 32 next week, had a solid season in 2023, going 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 20 starts, including a no-hitter against Cincinnati on August 2. He struck out 145 and walked 44 in 104 innings. However, he was sidelined by injuries, including a strained left adductor and a strained left groin.

Snell has won Cy Young Awards in 2018 with Tampa Bay and 2023 with San Diego. He has a career record of 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA over nine seasons with the Rays (2016-20), Padres (2021-23), and Giants. As he declined a qualifying offer from San Diego last November, the Giants were not eligible to offer him another one and will not receive draft-pick compensation.

Los Angeles is also anticipating the return of All-Star right-hander Tyler Glasnow and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw to the rotation next year. Other potential starters include right-handers Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Bobby Miller, provided they are healthy.

Ohtani is recovering from right elbow and left shoulder surgeries, while Glasnow did not pitch after August 11 due to right elbow tendinitis. Kershaw, who turns 37 in March, underwent foot and knee surgeries in November and is expected to return to Los Angeles despite declining a $10 million player option.

May is recovering from Tommy John surgery and an esophagus repair, Gonsolin is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and Miller, who had a promising rookie season in 2023, struggled early this year due to shoulder inflammation and finished the regular season in the minors.

Yamamoto, who was sidelined by right triceps tightness, returned to go 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in four postseason starts, capping off the first year of his $325 million contract.

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