3 free agents whose lives just changed after Dodgers' Blake Snell signing

The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't waste any time making a big splash in free agency, signing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal before Thanksgiving.

The move didn't just shore up Los Angeles' star-studded starting rotation for 2025; it also sent a ripple effect through the free-agent pitching market. As the first nine-figure deal of the offseason, Snell's signing will drastically affect the fates of his fellow starters looking for new teams in the 2025 season.

Here are three free-agent pitchers, including a pair of former Dodgers, who will be impacted the most by Snell's new contract in Los Angeles:

3 free agents whose lives just changed after Dodgers' Blake Snell signing

Max Fried

With a fellow southpaw now off the market, Max Fried is likely to find himself at the center of a bidding war between teams looking to add left-handed starters. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will likely be the primary players here, as both could be in the market for Fried's services.

Fried, who spent the past eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves, posted a 3.25 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 174.1 innings over 29 starts during the 2024 campaign. His résumé isn't quite as impressive as Snell's, but he is a year younger and has two All-Star appearances and two top-five finishes in National League Cy Young voting since 2020.

Snell was considered the top lefty starter on the free agent market this offseason in terms of pure stuff, but Fried would be a solid consolation prize for any of the teams that missed out. Plus, now that he is considered supply in demand, his asking price will likely go up.

Walker Buehler

It was unclear whether the Dodgers would choose to bring Walker Buehler back next season, but the Snell signing makes it look like they won't. Buehler had a rocky 2024 season, posting a 1-6 record in 16 starts with a 5.38 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. Many thought he might have redeemed himself with a strong postseason performance, but it appears that the Dodgers have moved on.

On paper, Snell looks to be an upgrade over Buehler, who spent a good part of 2024 on the injured list with a hip injury and has yet to look like the bonafide ace he once was before undergoing the second Tommy John Surgery of his career.

Snell has had his injury issues as well in his career, but they didn't seem to haunt him in 2024. He finished last season with a 5-3 record, 3.12 ERA and 145 strikeouts.

Jack Flaherty

Jack Flaherty is another member of the Dodgers' starting rotation who likely won't be back now that they've signed Snell. The Dodgers added Flaherty at the trade deadline from the Detroit Tigers to shore up their injury-depleted starting rotation as they geared up for a deep postseason run.

The Dodgers got exactly what they needed out of Flaherty, who finished the season with a 6-2 record and a 3.17 ERA. Now with a World Series title under his belt, the right-hander is sure to get paid in free agency this offseason; it just won't be by the Dodgers.

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