2020 World Series Champion Catcher Agrees to Long-Term Extension
A day prior to the 2024 MLB regular season getting underway, the Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a deal to lock up another key piece of their core for the long haul. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Dodgers and 2023 All-Star catcher Will Smith have reached an agreement on a ten-year contract extension that is worth $140 million to keep Smith in The City of Angels for the foreseeable future. With Smith on the verge of entering free agency following the 2025 season, the Dodgers were determined to come to an agreement with the 2020 World Series Champion. Once finalized, Smith’s ten-year contract extension will become the third-highest extension ever given to a catcher, trailing former Twins catcher Joe Mauer ($184 million) and former Giants catcher Buster Posey ($167 million).
Since coming onto the scene in 2019, the 28-year-old catcher has quickly become one of baseball’s best backstops and has become known for his ability to effectively control a pitching staff and adjust to their needs. In his six seasons with the Dodgers, Smith has racked up 441 hits, 91 home runs, 308 RBIs, and 216 walks alongside a .263 batting average and a .842 OPS. After becoming a full-time starter in 2021, Smith would set a career-high in home runs (25) and RBIs (76) at the time. Last season, Smith would finish the year with 19 home runs, 76 RBIs, 121 hits, and a batting average of .261.
With Smith's extension, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes has now signed long-term contracts with several players over the course of the previous few seasons, including starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, shortstop Mookie Betts, first baseman Freddie Freeman, pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. The long-term agreement with Smith and other star players signals that the Dodgers are determined to continue their dominance in the NL West division in 2024 as they aim to claim their 11th division title in the past 12 seasons. The Dodgers entered the 2024 season with high expectations once again, as they are viewed as favorites to win their eighth World Series title in franchise history. After beginning their season in Seoul, South Korea last week against the Padres, the Dodgers split the two games as they prepare for their home opener on Thursday against the Cardinals.
