Like Mookie Betts 4 years in the past, Will Smith signed a really lengthy contract extension with the Dodgers earlier than reaching free company, and finalized the deal the day earlier than the house opener at Dodger Stadium. Betts' 12-year deal takes him by 2032, whereas the All-Star catcher is signed by 2033, for a complete of $140 million.

“I like being a Dodger. I've cherished being right here since I used to be drafted in 2016,” Smith said at a press conference at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. “I don't assume I'm the participant I might be with out being right here. For me, most likely ending my profession as a Dodger means loads.”

I wasn't in a position to get to Chavez Ravine in time for Wednesday's press convention, however listed below are some tales from individuals who have been there.

Right here's Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who was in his second 12 months in cost in 2016 when the Dodgers drafted Smith within the first spherical, the thirty second total decide. From Jack Harris on the Los Angeles Occasions:

“It's a extremely particular, organizational second,” Friedman stated. “From the [draft] the choice and beginner course of by the participant improvement system and on the main league degree … Will has been integral and a major a part of a lot of the success we now have achieved up up to now. We're excited to have him be an enormous a part of what we do sooner or later.”

Extra from Freedman, per Fabian Ardaya in The Athletic:

“Clearly having a bet of this nature, we really feel much more snug being that we've seen it because it was written. We all know the work ethic. We all know the character. There are such a lot of issues that we don't want the second or third hand data. We all know Will and (his spouse) Cara rather well and we all know that it doesn’t matter what issues play out sooner or later, they are going to get alongside extremely properly and be an enormous a part of our tradition and we’ll proceed to construct on our success.”

Smith's contract will carry him by his age-38 season, and staying with the Dodgers seems to be a precedence for him. From Juan Toribio at MLB.com:

“Considering like a child and watching Derek Jeter and people guys who performed his entire profession [with one team], you at all times dreamed about it as a child,” Smith stated. “I don't assume I've actually spent an excessive amount of time the final couple of years fascinated by it particularly. However as we've had these discussions occurring, you're beginning to consider it. For me, it was a call I needed to make. It was a fairly simple determination to make as a result of I needed to be there.”

I'll have one thing on the main points of the contract, together with the signing bonus, particular referrals and the pay ramifications of the aggressive stability tax somewhat later right this moment.

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