The Los Angeles Dodgers just want everybody playing for them. After winning the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes and signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers then traded for Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays. Then they signed left-hander James Paxton and brought back Clayton Kershaw, who’s still recovering from offseason surgery. However, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, word got out that the Dodgers made a late play for another pitcher, Blake Snell, who opted for the rival San Francisco Giants.
Dodgers Made Late Push for Blake Snell
The interest in the two-time Cy Young Award winner was evident, not just for the Dodgers. Sure, the effort shows they still have money to spend, though. The New York Yankees were also interested in Snell’s services. The Yankees and Snell’s agent, Scott Boras, had plenty of conversations over the offseason. Unfortunately, they never got close to a deal after trying many paths to blunt the 110 percent, fourth-tier tax the Yankees are confronting as a team above the final $297 million threshold. Boras and the Yankees did everything they could to find creative ways to lessen the tax, but Snell was going to be quite expensive for New York.
Snell’s Slump with the Giants
The left-hander has been subpar in his performances with the Giants. Snell nearly avoided his fourth loss of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday. Nothing has gone Snell’s way since signing with San Francisco a week before Opening Day. Snell reflected on his form on the mound after Monday.
“The one that I would say yeah, the big league Spring Training, you need it. It’s tough to do it, thought I did everything I could to be ready and even after just two weeks noticing how much better I was throwing the ball just being here every day.”
Blake Snell says the importance of Spring Training is what he’s learned about the most after posting a 10.42 ERA in his first five starts
“I didn’t face a big league hitter until I pitched my first game in the big leagues this year. It’s tough.” pic.twitter.com/PhNxJYFcwT
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 28, 2024
Snell is 0-3 with a 10.43 ERA and 24 strikeouts after signing a two-year, $62 million contract that includes an opt-out after the 2024 season. He’s failed to complete five innings through five starts this season, topping out at 4 2/3 innings. Snell has yet to allow fewer than three earned runs in an outing.
The Giants Did Have a Respectable Offseason
At 29-28, the Giants are in the middle of the National League Wild Card hunt. The offseason for San Francisco was a respectable one as they brought in manager Bob Melvin, who endorsed both Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman and Snell, for Oakland and San Diego respectively. Former World Series MVP Jorge Soler and reliever-turned-starter Jordan Hicks were the other acquisitions the Giants went for. While their spending is behind the rival Dodgers, who spent over $1 billion on Ohtani and Yamamoto, the Giants were in second place among spenders in the offseason.
Main Photo: © Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
