The Los Angeles Dodgers signed catcher Will Smith to a 10-year extension worth $140 million on Wednesday, the longest deal ever for a catcher.
An underrated piece of the Dodgers’ roster, Smith is one of the better offensive players behind the dish. Finding that type of production from the backstop isn’t easy to find, so it’s no surprise the Dodgers wanted to lock him up through his age-38 season.
He’s now the fourth-highest paid catcher in MLB behind only J.T. Realmuto, Salvador Perez and Willson Contreras. Over the last three seasons, Smith has averaged 23 home runs and a .820 OPS per season.
BREAKING: Catcher Will Smith and the Los Angeles Dodgers are finalizing a 10-year, $140 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 27, 2024
As the Dodgers added another key piece to the roster long-term, outside fans expressed plenty of outrage.
You gotta be kidding me. This is one of the most team friendly deals ever. https://t.co/oijOEeLXQ9
— The Draftnik (@draftniks) March 27, 2024
First Ohtani goes to Dodgers, then Yamamoto to the Dodgers, then Snell to San Francisco, then Montgomery to Arizona, and now Will Smith extended. Everything is fine 🥲 https://t.co/vo2bpCjpxA pic.twitter.com/hCHY1AFsfQ
— Stephen Cross (@steve_cross4) March 27, 2024
Must be nice to be a dodgers fan…. https://t.co/jmwzG0at7u
— Evan (@EvanBoller) March 27, 2024
You can’t tell me the Dodgers aren’t a front for a money laundering scheme https://t.co/IE8kzBAjKO
— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) March 27, 2024
How on earth did they get away with him signing a contract this cheap https://t.co/AfiFU5fq5V
— Papa Cole (@papa_cole45) March 27, 2024
when the revolution comes the first stop is dodger stadium https://t.co/k5Ik1T6YLQ
— im back (aidan) (@MVPrielipp) March 27, 2024
They just robbed a man in broad daylight. https://t.co/lU1gicH4gC
— Yankees Analytics Nerds (@YankeesNerds) March 27, 2024
