It seems Blake Snell has learned from last offseason. The southpaw signed with the Giants weeks before Opening Day 2024, and he paid the price early in the season.
Snell posted a 6.31 ERA in the first half after he spent spring training without a team. But by July, he was back in his Cy Young form. He clocked a 1.45 ERA through 12 starts in the second half and earned a deal with the Dodgers for his performance.
Late Nov. 26, Snell broke the news of the deal through Instagram but didn't release any details. MLB insider Mark Feinsand later reported that the 31-year-old signed a five-year, $182 million contract with Los Angeles.
The Boston Red Sox were linked to Snell multiple times this offseason. He's a lefty with years of experience and plenty of hardware. He could've been the ideal addition to the Sox's rotation but the Dodgers got there first, as they seemingly always do.
The Red Sox lose out on another lefty pitching target after Blake Snell signs five-year deal with the Dodgers
Red Sox were in on both Snell and Kikuchi before losing out. They seek rotation upgrades and have preferred a lefty.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 27, 2024
Boston also targeted lefty Yusei Kikuchi before he signed with the Angels earlier this week. It was recently confirmed that the Red Sox have also been linked to Max Fried, but few other top-tier lefties remain, and this year's market is moving much faster than the last.
The Yankees and Orioles were in on Snell alongside the Red Sox. The market for elite lefty starters is competitive and close to home. If the Sox want to improve their rotation before a division rival does, they must act fast.