For the San Francisco Giants, Blake Snell’s season was a tale of two halves—disappointing early struggles followed by a dominant second-half resurgence. Unfortunately for the Giants, it wasn’t enough to salvage their playoff hopes or keep the star pitcher in the Bay Area.
Snell, who signed a two-year, $62 million deal with the Giants in 2024, officially opted out after one year, seeking a long-term home and a chance to win consistently. That opportunity has landed him with the Los Angeles Dodgers, as the left-hander agreed to a blockbuster five-year, $182 million contract. The deal includes a $52 million signing bonus, $60 million in deferred money, and no opt-outs, securing Snell’s place in a star-studded Dodgers rotation.
Snell broke the news himself on Instagram, posting an edited photo of him in a Dodgers uniform sporting his familiar No. 7. The image sent shockwaves through Giants fans, who were already bracing for his potential departure.
The move leaves a gaping hole in the Giants’ rotation. Logan Webb now becomes the clear ace, but the rest of the staff lacks the firepower to compete with the Dodgers’ loaded rotation, which includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani, who is set to pitch again in 2025.
Snell’s performance with the Giants was a mixed bag. Early in the season, he struggled with fitness and posted a disastrous 9.51 ERA through June. However, he rebounded spectacularly in the second half, going 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA and delivering one of the season’s highlights with a no-hitter against the Reds in August.
The decision to leave came down to Snell’s desire to win. “I’ve got to win,” Snell said earlier. “There’s nothing like playoff baseball.” His final comment about skipping a meaningless late-season start against St. Louis—“This game has no meaning”—didn’t sit well with many in the Giants organization.
Despite brief discussions of a return, Snell’s move to L.A. was inevitable. In joining the Dodgers, he not only secures postseason opportunities but also solidifies their dominance in the NL West. Giants fans are left wondering what their team will look like without him—and if they can find a way to compete in his absence.
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