Blake Snell Gets His Big Deal!

Let’s recap an unusually eventful Thanksgiving week in baseball. This is the time of year when teams assess their needs, identify available free agents, and strategize on moves that could take them to the next level. Several teams have already started making significant moves, and the biggest news of the week is that Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, has signed a *huge* deal with... the Los Angeles Dodgers. In an embarrassment of riches, the reigning champions have added the top pitcher on the free-agent market to their already stacked rotation.

Snell’s Big Contract
Snell’s new contract is a five-year, $182 million deal—a type of long-term deal he had been seeking. This move bolsters the Dodgers’ starting rotation, which has often entered October with key pitchers missing yet managed to find success (as they did last year). Snell was a free agent last year but didn’t receive a satisfactory long-term offer. Instead, he signed a one-year deal with the Giants to re-enter the market this year—a gamble that has paid off handsomely. Despite some injuries and a slow start, Snell was dominant when healthy, showcasing his brilliance. From his time with the Rays to now, Snell has consistently demonstrated his ability, making this a stellar move for the Dodgers. He’ll be a vital piece in their quest to defend their title.

Dodgers’ Star Rotation
The Dodgers’ starting rotation now looks like this:
1. Yamamoto
2. Glasnow
3. Snell
4. Ohtani (!)
5. Gonsolin

On paper, that’s the best rotation in baseball, making the Dodgers a formidable contender next season. However, this signing has reignited complaints that the Dodgers’ spending is distorting baseball’s competitive landscape and that a salary cap, like those in other American sports, is necessary.

The Case Against a Salary Cap
At ThreeAndTwo, we believe introducing a salary cap would be a grave mistake and deeply unfair to players. Baseball is a unique sport, inherently unpredictable—a lottery, even. Unlike other sports where better teams almost always win, in baseball, even the most mismatched game rarely sees the richer team with more than a 70% chance of victory. This parity is evident in recent history: just a year ago, the Texas Rangers faced the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series.

Baseball thrives on the excitement of roster building and the drama it creates. Even the best team can lose 60 games in a season. While the Dodgers are investing heavily, it would be inspiring to see other teams with the means to do the same. The real issue lies in the expanded postseason format. With so many teams making the playoffs, some owners are content to assemble rosters that win just 82 games, hoping to "get lucky" in the playoffs. A smaller postseason field would force teams to build stronger, more competitive rosters, ultimately improving the game’s balance.


Angels Make Their Own Moves
The Los Angeles Angels, often overshadowed by their cross-town rivals, are making moves of their own. They’ve signed an excellent pitcher, Yusei Kikuchi, to a three-year, $63 million contract. Additionally, the Angels secured Travis d’Arnaud on a two-year, $12 million deal.

A Long Way to Go
The Angels struggled last season, finishing with a dismal 63-99 record and missing the playoffs for the 10th consecutive year. Despite having the generational talent Mike Trout, injuries have plagued his availability in recent seasons. However, the Angels did exceed their projections by four games last year, relying on their younger players. These latest moves suggest they’re finally trying to turn things around, though success remains a long shot.


Soto Watch
Juan Soto continues to meet with teams, and the latest suitor to emerge is the Boston Red Sox. Could they break the bank to reshape their future?

That’s all for now—stay tuned for more offseason updates as the moves continue to unfold. All eyes are on where Juan Soto will land.