ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 08: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two-run RBI double during the ninth inning against Trevor Rosenthal #47 of the San Diego Padres in Game Three of the National League Division Series at Globe Life Field on October 08, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first player in Dodgers history to have five hits during the postseason.
On Wednesday, the Dodgers agreed with catcher Will Smith to extend his 10-year, $140 million contract. Los Angeles has now committed $1.3 billion to sign five players in the last five months.
Smith, who would have been eligible for free agency after the 2025 season, will remain with the Dodgers for the foreseeable future as the team attempts to build a new dynasty
“I’ve loved being here since I got drafted in 2016,” Smith said Wednesday. “I don’t think I would be the player I am without being here. So for me to probably finish my career a Dodger means a lot. I couldn’t be happier and more excited moving forward. There’s no better organization that’s more committed to winning a World Series and that’s most important to me when it comes to baseball. I’m looking forward to these next 10 years.”
With Smith under a new long-term contract, it is unclear what the Dodgers will do with some of the highly-ranked catching prospects in their farm system, namely Dalton Rushing and Thayron Liranzo. But with six years of MLB experience, all with the Dodgers, Smith clearly demonstrated value to the team and earned his extension.
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Smith is the fifth big deal Los Angeles has made this off-season, joining superstar Shohei Ohtani, pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. Ohtani and Yamamoto alone cost the team over $1 billion to acquire, and though the team deferred a significant portion of that money, it is still a costly and ambitious approach to World Series contention.
The Dodgers’ new long-term catcher differs from his fellow signees, as he has been with the team and won a World Series in 2020. Los Angeles has spent the entire off-season bringing in new talent, but on the eve of Opening Day, the team locked down a player who has provided stability in the past.
Smith will never be the big name on a team that includes the likes of Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, but he has proven to be a capable contributor in the past and a solid presence behind home plate.
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