The Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers once again spent a lot of money in the offseason. This time, they gave a 10-year, $140 million extension to 28-year-old catcher Will Smith, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
In 2019, as a 24-year-old, Smith started playing for the Dodgers. He started as the opening day catcher for the first time in 2021 and has continued in that role. He was selected to his first All-Star Game in 2023.
The Dodgers picked Smith in the first round of the 2016 June Amateur Draft from the University of Louisville. Smith has already played two regular season games in 2024 and has gotten five hits. Throughout his career, he has batted .263/.358/.484.
The Dodgers Have Locked Down One of the Best Catchers in the League
Since his debut, Smith has consistently produced good results for the Dodgers. He has had an OPS+ above 100 in every season as a major leaguer. Smith, who will be 29 on March 28, had the fourth-highest batting average among catchers in 2023. Also, his 19 home runs ranked 11th among catchers last season.
Smith ranked in the top five for home runs at the position in 2020, 2021, and 2022. He has hit 91 home runs in his career. Although he is an established major leaguer, he is still making improvements in his game. Smith achieved a career-high in walks last season with 63.
Smith was going to become a free agent after the 2025 season, but now he will be with the Dodgers until 2032, joining Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto under contract with the Dodgers.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan Dodgers Offseason Spending.
The Dodgers have spent a lot this offseason, committing over $1.35 billion in future salaries, according to Passan.
The Dodgers stretched Smith’s deal to 10 years to get significant luxury-tax benefits. The contract will count for about $14 million annually against their competitive-balance-tax payroll. The deal pushes their CBT payroll this season to over $326 million, as Smith was going to make $8.55 million — a record for a second-time arbitration-eligible catcher — after settling with Los Angeles,” according to Passan.
This offseason, the Dodgers signed Ohtani to a
historic 10-year, $700 million deal signed Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million deal. They also . The club acquired Tyler Glasnow in a trade from theTampa Bay Rays signed him to a five-year, $137.5 million and The Dodgers have shown they are not shy about dishing out big money to keep star players in Los Angeles. Smith is the first of the long-term signings to actually be drafted and brought through the minor leagues by the Dodgers. extension.
The new deal will keep Smith in Los Angeles for another decade. According to Spotrac
Smith has shown versatility by playing first base and third base in addition to catcher should the Dodgers observe a decline in his ability as a catcher as he ages. He played third base and second base in addition to catcher. as a player in the minor leagues.The Los Angeles Dodgers are giving All-Star catcher Will Smith a contract extension worth $140 million, as reported by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. as a minor leaguer.
