The Los Angeles Dodgers have recently announced a 10-year contract extension with catcher Will Smith, worth $140 million. According to reports, approximately $45 million of this amount will be deferred. Additionally, the contract includes a $30 million signing bonus, making it the third largest contract in MLB history ever given to a catcher.
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 named an All-Star once. He was drafted as the No. 32 overall pick in 2016 and quickly emerged as a top prospect before making his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2019. Since then, he has maintained an impressive batting average and has shown power at the plate.
In terms of defense, Smith has been graded above-average in some areas like blocking pitches in the dirt and throwing to second base but below average in pitch-framing. The Dodgers’ farm system also boasts top catching prospects Dalton Rushing and Thayron Liranzo, indicating a bright future for their catching position.
This offseason, the Dodgers have been actively signing top free agents, with commitments totaling more than $1 billion in future salary. Players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have also joined the team solidifying their roster for upcoming seasons.
