The Dodgers signed All-Star catcher Will Smith to a 10-year contract value $140 million on March 27, 2024, the day earlier than the house opener at Dodger Stadium and the day earlier than the Smith's twenty ninth birthday.
Smith's new contract replaces the one-year, $8.55 million contract he signed in January to keep away from wage arbitration. The catcher would have been eligible for arbitration additionally in 2025. This contract will purchase the 2 seasons and eight years in his free company.
The ten-year contract takes Smith by means of 2033, his age-38 season.
A primary-round choose of the Dodgers in 2016, Smith secured the beginning catcher job on the finish of the 2019 season and has held the job ever since. Smith on the time of signing this contract is a profession .263/.358/.484 hitter with a 129 wRC+ and 91 residence runs, the latter the second most amongst main league pitchers since his main league debut main, after solely Salvador Pérez.
“I like being a Dodger. I've beloved being right here since I used to be drafted in 2016,” Smith said at a press conference on March 27. “I don't suppose I'm the participant I’d be with out being right here. For me, most likely ending my profession as a Dodger means lots.”
Smith will obtain a $30 million signing bonus as a part of the contract, payable in 2024 and 2025. Moreover, $50 million of his wage is deferred, to be paid from 2034-2043, after his contract expires.
