Dodgers Pegged as Second-Best Landing Spot for Cy Young Winner Blake Snell in Free Agency
One of the better free agent pitchers this offseason will be starter Blake Snell of the San Diego Padres. He is entering free agency after winning the National League Cy Young award and is expected to receive a huge contract from whomever he signs with.
The Dodgers have a need for someone like Snell after their starting rotation imploded last season, and they have been linked to him multiple times this offseason. MLB writer Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report ranked landing spots for Snell, and LA came in second place among landing spots.
“They do still have Bobby Miller and several other young-but-promising arms, but they will be looking to sign at least one if not several of the top starting pitchers available this offseason.”
LA is expected to be aggressive in adding to their starting rotation, and Snell could be one of those players. He would give them a dominant left-handed pitcher that they have been lacking, and Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to be out for a chunk of time next season if he returns at all.
Snell has also dominated against the Dodgers over his career, so they know as well as anyone how good he truly is. Adding him to the team would allow them to not face him any longer, which could be a good thing in and of itself.
“In six career starts at Dodger Stadium—against what is annually one of the most formidable lineups in the majors—Snell has a 1.80 ERA and a 12.6 K/9. Getting that sort of production as a member of the home team would be huge.”
Snell doesn’t come without any baggage, however, as he does have a high walk rate, and he did get himself out of many jams this season. But if the Dodgers are willing to pay him what it takes to land him, they likely aren’t too concerned. Snell would be a welcomed member of this rotation, and LA would get an ace-level pitcher they have been coveting.
