Already signed for more than $1 billion this offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ overspending apparently continues.
The Dodgers and catcher Will Smith reportedly have a 10-year contract worth $140 million.
Smith’s contract is the longest in history for a catcher, surpassing the eight years given to Buster Posey, Joe Mauer, and Keibert Lewis (the San Francisco Giants used Posey’s club option to give him a nine-year deal).
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Will Smith celebrates his walk-off two-run home run in a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on June 23, 2019. (Harry Howe/Getty Images)
It is also the third-highest amount ever awarded to a backstop, behind Joe Mauer’s $184 million and Posey’s $167 million.
Smith made his MLB debut in 2019 and made an immediate impact, hitting 15 home runs, 42 RBIs and a .905 OPS in 54 games. In his shortened 60-game season in 2020, he slashed .289/.401/.579 with RBIs. 37 games.
He finally became a full-time player in 2021 and did not disappoint. Since then, he has hit .262 with an OPS of .822 and was named an All-Star last season.
Entering the 2021 season, he ranks second among catchers in home runs (68), RBIs (241), OPS (.822), and on-base percentage (.356), and third in total bases (650). There is. .
But he’s also shown to be solid behind the dish. Of the 81 catchers who qualified last year, Smith’s 1.91 pop time was the 12th fastest. According to StatCast – Metrics don’t like his pitch framing, but he ranks well as a blocker.
Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers dumps Jurickson Profar of the Padres after an infield grounder at Petco Park in San Diego on September 28, 2022. (Sean M. Huffey/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers already have long-term acquisitions in Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Lux. With Smith here, the Dodgers will likely be a force to be reckoned with for a long time. Smith, Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Betts will each be locked up until at least 2032.
Smith will celebrate his 29th birthday on Thursday, which is the first day of Major League Baseball games, with the exception of the Dodgers-Padres series in Seoul.
Will Smith celebrates his three-run home run against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on September 12, 2023. (Harry Howe/Getty Images)
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According to reports, some funds will be deferred, but the amount is unclear.
Smith, a 2016 first-round pick out of the University of Louisville, was scheduled to become a free agent after the 2025 season.
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