Ex-teammate weighs in on Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow's 9-figure contract worthiness

Blake Snell joined Tyler Galsnow in the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation this year, with former Rays infielder Brian O'Grady reckoning both pitchers are worth the money spent on them.

While Glasnow signed a five-year, $136.5 million extension with LA last year, Snell signed a five-year, $182 million deal as a free agent this winter. On the Austin Ayers Baseball podcast, former Rays and Padres infielder O'Grady opened up about his former teammates' worthiness of a nine-figure contract (8:22 - 9:37).

"Those guys are very good and they already had proven at that point. Snell obviously Cy Young, just a dominant pitcher when all his stuff's working and he's in the zone. When he's in the zone there might not be anybody better than Blake Snell.

"And Glas is just a freak too, from the opposite side. He's just a stud throwing that ball as hard as he does, how big he is and how athletic. They're just great pitchers, so I can't say I'm surprised that that ended up happening.

"The next year I ended up in San Diego and I'm in the infield with Tatis and Manny at one point, and it's like, holy crap. Those guys are worth all that money. So it's good to see them getting what they deserve."

Having started his MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds in 2019, O'Grady joined the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020, where he played alongside Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. The next year, he was traded to the San Diego Padres, where he found himself in the infield with Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.

Having played with several players currently at the peak of their careers, O'Grady isn't surprised to see them signing huge contracts. With the Dodgers signing Snell and Galsnow, they have put together a fearsome starting rotation this year.

---

Blake Snell opens up on signing with the Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made several big signings this winter as they look to defend their World Series title in the upcoming MLB season.

Among the moves, one of the biggest was landing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell from free agency. Speaking to the media after signing with the Dodgers, Snell said:

"You look at the team. You look at what they've built, what they're doing. it's just something you want to be a part of."

Snell entered free agency ahead of the 2024 season last year and joined the San Francisco Giants on a two-year, $62 million contract. However, he chose to opt out of that contract after just one year and was scooped up the Dodgers this winter.