The World Series champion Dodgers are signing free-agent left-hander Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal. The deal isn't straightforward, though, and diving into the minutia helps give a better idea as to how the Dodgers can continue improving their ballclub the rest of this offseason.

Former San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell is joining the reigning world champion Los Angeles Dodgers on a five-year, $182 million deal, which he first tipped off on his Instagram late Tuesday night.

Snell’s five-year, $182 million contract reportedly includes approximately $65 million in deferred salary – the Dodgers’ latest use of the technique in negotiating big-money deals.