Dodgers Discuss Will Smith Contract Extension

Will Smith signs a $8.55 million contract with the Dodgers, but there have been no talks about a contract extension.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher, Will Smith, recently signed a one-year, $8.55 million contract, avoiding arbitration for the 2024 season. This deal represents the richest contract for a catcher going through his second year of arbitration. Smith, who is entering his sixth season with the Dodgers, will be eligible for salary arbitration again in 2025 before potentially becoming a free agent.

Despite his importance to the team in recent years, there have been no contract extension discussions between the Dodgers and Smith. The 28-year-old catcher is in line to receive a deal that would make him one of the highest-paid catchers in the league. As the start of Spring Training arrived, Smith confirmed that there have been no talks between the two sides on a potential contract extension.

Smith had an impressive All-Star season, hitting .261/.359/.438 with 21 doubles, 19 home runs, and 76 RBI. Although he dealt with a fractured rib and a concussion that caused him to miss nearly two weeks in April, Smith's performance remained strong. He was one of the few Dodgers who found success during the National League Division Series, going 5-for-12 with a double, triple, and two RBI in three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Heading into the 2024 season, Smith was ranked as the second-best catcher in all of baseball on The Shredder's rankings of the Top-10 Catchers Right now. This is the second consecutive year that Smith has been ranked the second-best catcher, with Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles taking the top spot for the first time. Smith's impressive performance and potential for a lucrative contract extension make him a priority player for the Dodgers to retain.

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