According to ESPN, the Los Angeles Dodgers have locked up star catcher Will Smith (the one who didn’t slap Chris Rock) for the long haul.
Smith, soon to be 29, was scheduled to be a free agent in 2025, but the Dodgers reportedly signed him to a 10-year, $140 million contract extension that will keep him with the club through the 2033 season.
It makes sense, too, because Smith is undoubtedly one of the better-hitting catchers in baseball. Since being drafted in 2016, his slash line has been a robust .261/.357/.483 with a .840 OPS in five MLB seasons. He has hammered 91 home runs and knocked in 306 RBI for the Dodgers while operating as a 4.1 WAR (wins above replacement) player over the past two seasons.
This huge contract gives Smith long-term stability as he heads into his 30s. It also helps the Dodgers, though, because he will count for just $14 million a year against the competitive-balance tax payroll.
The Dodgers have been big spenders in recent months with the most obvious example of that being the 10-year, $700 million deal they gave Shohei Ohtani. For comparison’s sake, Ohtani’s salary will count toward $46 million of the Dodgers’ luxury-tax salary yearly.
Smith made his first All-Star game last season after hitting .261 with 19 home runs and 76 RBI. He was also considered a 1.4 DWAR player as a catcher (fourth best in baseball) with just two passed balls given up and a caught stealing percentage of .209.