Dodgers: Should LA Consider a Will Smith Contract Extension?

Will Smith is ready to earn $5.25 million in 2023, his first season as an arbitration eligible participant. The Dodgers catcher is getting into his fifth season as a giant leaguer and fourth as the first catcher in LA. Since making his MLB debut in 2019, The Recent Prince has grown into one of many high backstops in baseball. So, naturally, it feels about time to begin contemplating a contract extension for the 27 yr outdated.

However have the Dodgers entertained that thought but? In line with Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic it doesn’t seem so.

In a current column, Ardaya fielded questions from followers, together with one asking if LA has explored a brand new cope with Smith. Right here’s what he needed to say.

My understanding is that the Dodgers haven’t thus far. Outdoors of Julio Urías, Smith could also be the obvious extension candidate on the roster. I’ll be diving into that extra in-depth quickly.

Fabian addresses a number of different fascinating Dodger matters, so it’s price a learn, in case you have a subscription to the publication. However, for now, let’s give attention to Will Smith.

Once more, Smith received his first massive payday as a giant leaguer this offseason when he agreed to a $5.25 million cope with the crew. By the requirements he’s established over his profession, Will had a considerably down yr in 2022. Nevertheless, he was nonetheless the third most respected catcher in baseball by WAR (3.9 fWAR) and wRC+ (127). Forward of him on the listing are 2022 breakout star Sean Murphy and Phillies All-Star J.T. Realmuto.

Final season was Murphy’s finest as a giant leaguer and it in the end earned him a 6-year, $73 million extension with the Braves, protecting as much as 4 free agent years for the 28 yr outdated. Utilizing Murphy as a comp, Smith has been higher than him in most offensive classes over the past 4 years…

Can even has the sting on protection with 14 profession defensive runs saved versus Murphy’s 12. So, these are some cherry-picked stats that assist paint the image that Will Smith > Sean Murphy.

Transferring on and J.T. Realmuto as a free agent comp, the three-time All-Star signed a 5-year, $115 million deal simply three years in the past as one of many high catchers in all of baseball. Throughout three journeys via the arbitration course of, J.T. earned $2.9 million, $5.9 million, and $10 million in arb offers with the Marlins and Phillies earlier than getting into free company.

Couldn’t or shouldn’t the Dodgers discover locking up Smith for the foreseeable future?

A determine someplace between what Murphy received and what Realmuto received appears truthful for a membership just like the Dodgers. However there’s one drawback… this entrance workplace doesn’t essentially like extending its gamers. Or not less than they’ve been fairly dangerous at it. Sure, the argument could be made that they signed Mookie Betts to an extension, however contemplating the scenario he was in on the time — simply traded to LA and was going to be a free agent after the season — it’s not overly comparable.

Walker Buehler agreed to a two-year extension in 2021, however that solely coated his arb-2 and arb-3 seasons (2021 and 2022). Past Walker, small offers with Austin Barnes, Max Muncy, Daniel Hudson, and Blake Treinen occurred final season, however these are much less within the spirit of what we’re speaking about right here.

So, to reply the query we’re asking on this article… ought to the Dodgers attempt to signal Will Smith to a contract extension? Completely. He’s among the best catchers within the recreation and has became a key participant on the roster. In concept, a deal needs to be simple to determine. The homework has been carried out with gamers like Sean Murphy and the Braves and J.T. Realmuto and the Phillies. Each very not too long ago.

Until the membership has any plans of buying and selling Will or shifting him to a unique place to clear a path for high prospect Diego Cartaya, locking him up for the remainder of his arbitration seasons and probably two or three free agent years may very well be cost-effective in the long term.

After seeing gamers like Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, Trea Turner, and Cody Bellinger depart LA not too long ago, a little bit of long-term dedication may be good for a change.