When the Dodgers committed five years and $182 million to Blake Snell last offseason, they weren’t just paying for regular-season innings-they were investing in October. The deal, which included a hefty $52 million signing bonus, deferred salary, and a limited no-trade clause, signaled just how much L.A. valued Snell’s postseason pedigree and upside, even with the inherent risk that comes with any long-term deal for a starting pitcher.
And while Snell’s first season in Dodger blue didn’t go exactly as planned-he missed three months with a left shoulder injury-it ended the way the Dodgers had hoped: with another World Series trophy in hand and Snell playing a key role down the stretch.
Snell spent 119 days on the injured list, a significant chunk of the season, but one that could actually extend his time in Los Angeles. The Dodgers built a safeguard into his contract-a $10 million club option for the 2030 season that becomes active if Snell misses at least 90 days due to a specific injury and isn’t traded. While the exact nature of the injury clause hasn’t been made public, it’s reasonable to think it centers around his arm or shoulder, given his history and the nature of the injury that sidelined him this year.
Despite the missed time, Snell showed exactly why the Dodgers were willing to bet big on him. In 11 starts, he posted a 5-4 record with a 2.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings. Those are elite numbers, especially when you consider he was pitching through the pressure of a new contract and recovering from an injury.
But where Snell really made his mark was in the postseason. Over six appearances-five of them starts-he went 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA, a crisp 1.00 WHIP, and an even better strikeout rate of 10.9 per nine. Those are the kind of performances that win playoff series, and in L.A.'s case, championships.
That’s exactly what the Dodgers were banking on when they made Snell their top target. Team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made it clear that Snell’s playoff mentality was a major factor in the signing.
“I’ve known Blake a long time,” Friedman said recently. “Just getting a chance to watch that maturation over a 12-year period and seeing that growth, we felt really strongly that not only could he help us in the regular season in accomplishing that first goal, but what he would bring to our staff in October.”
Friedman didn’t mince words when talking about what separates Snell from other pitchers. “Everyone wants to pitch in October,” he said.
“I think for some it is literally a part of their identity and what they yearn for more than anything. And I think Blake is one of those guys.”
That mindset-craving the big moments rather than shying away from them-is what made Snell so appealing to a team that measures success by banners, not box scores. For the Dodgers, it wasn’t just about adding another arm to the rotation. It was about finding someone who thrives when the lights are brightest, who embraces pressure, and who elevates his game when it matters most.
And in that regard, Snell delivered.
It’s rare to see a pitcher come off a long IL stint and still dominate in the postseason, but Snell’s ability to lock in when it counts is part of what makes him so valuable. His combination of swing-and-miss stuff, competitive fire, and playoff poise is the kind of package that makes front offices willing to bet big-and the Dodgers did.
Now, with another World Series title under their belt and Snell firmly entrenched in the rotation, the Dodgers’ gamble looks like it’s paying off.