The Los Angeles Dodgers’ spending spree this offseason doesn’t seem to be over just yet. The Dodgers announced on Wednesday that their All-Star catcher agreed to a 10-year extension with the organization.
Smith was previously scheduled to enter the free agency after 2025 but is now under contract with the Dodgers through the 2033 MLB season. The extension is reportedly worth $140 million, making it the third-biggest deal ever given to a catcher. It includes $30 million in signing bonus and $45 million in deferrals.
After making his debut in 2019, Smith quickly emerged as one of the best hitting catchers in the game. This was particularly on display in 2023 when he batted .261 with 19 home runs and 76 RBI while earning his first career All-Star nod. He also had a fine start to the new season, recording five hits in 10 at-bats with two RBI.
The agreement should be beneficial for both the Dodgers and Smith. The franchise gets luxury tax benefits while also being able to defer money and continue building their roster in the upcoming decade. Smith, on the other hand, gets a long-term security rarely afforded to catcher, especially as young as he is.
Prior to signing Smith, the Dodgers were the biggest spenders in the MLB by far. They signed two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani to a record $700 million deal before also inking Japanese star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a $325 million contract and giving pitcher Tyler Glasnow a $137.5 million extension.
