The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced a 10-year contract extension with catcher Will Smith, worth $140 million, as reported on Wednesday. According to sources, approximately $45 million of this amount will be deferred. Additionally, the deal includes a $30 million signing bonus. This makes it the third largest contract in MLB history ever given to a catcher, surpassed only by Joe Mauer and Buster Posey.
Will Smith, who is about to turn 29, was initially going to be a free agent after the 2025 season. However, this new contract extends his stay with the Dodgers for almost a decade. Smith is considered one of the best-hitting catchers in the league and has been graded above-average in blocking pitches in the dirt but below average in pitch-framing. Despite this, he has shown power at the plate and has maintained an impressive batting average since making his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2019.
Smith’s contract comes at a time when the Dodgers have been actively signing top free agents, committing over $1 billion in future salary. The team also boasts top catching prospects Dalton Rushing and Thayron Liranzo in their farm system, indicating a bright future for their catching position. With players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto already on board, this offseason has been crucial for solidifying the Dodgers’ roster for upcoming seasons.
