Los Angeles Dodgers and Will Smith sign a 10-year, $140 million extension
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Will Smith agree to a 10-year contract extension that will see the power-hitting catcher stay in LA through the 2033 season.
Last year, Will Smith earned his first invitation to the Major League All-Star Game. Now, the Los Angeles Dodgers do not want to let one of the best catchers in the MLB get away, not even by accident. They have ensured his stay in La-la-land until 2033. For the 28 year old, this is likely to be most, if not all, of his career. Will Smith, it would seem, is to be a Dodger for life.
MLB.com’s Juan Toribio and Mark Feinsand report that the Dodgers have finalized a contract extension with Smith for 10 more seasons at a bargain price of $140 million. With this agreement, Los Angeles and the catcher avoid salary arbitration. The team confirmed the news hours later.
Smith’s salary of $14 million per year is dwarfed by team mates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto at $70 million and $27 million a year respectively. But even by position, Smith is still far from being the highest paid catcher in baseball. For 2024, the highest salaried backstops are J.T. Realmuto at $23.8 million, Salvador Pérez at $20 million, and Wilson Contreras at $18 million.
The Los Angeles organization relies heavily on Smith’s power at bat, with Smith batting cleanup, behind Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman thanks to his .263 career batting average.
Smith is in his sixth season in the Majors, during which he has played in 486 games, including the two-game series against the San Diego Padres in Seoul. Smith has 308 RBIs, 441 hits and 91 home runs, drawing 216 walks and 50 hit by pitches.
Dodgers prepare to compete for the World Series for many years
With the signing of Smith, the Dodgers tied up their fifth player with a contract that lasts until at least 2028. This core of players, made up of Ohtani, Betts, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow, will allow the Blues to be long-term contenders in the World Series race.
In addition, Freddie Freeman, a seven-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger, has a contract with the Dodgers through 2027, as do Chris Taylor and Max Muncy, who are two veterans. reliable players who can occupy any box position.