Will Smith avoids arbitration with $8.55 million deal
The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Thursday agreed to terms with catcher Will Smith on a one-year deal, avoiding salary arbitration. Smith in 2024 will be paid $8.55 million, per <a href="https://twitter.com/juanctoribio/status/1745610809265488226">multiple</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FabianArdaya/status/1745610816701988959">reports</a>.
Dodgers notes: Gavin Lux, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Will Smith
The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> had one of baseball’s best offenses during the 2023 season, with the two-headed monster of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman leading the charge. As good as they were and look to be for the 2024 season, if there is one area of concern in the lineup, it would be their depth at shortstop.
A look at Will Smith’s workload
Austin Barnes is still dealing with swelling and soreness in his right hand after getting hit by a pitch in the ninth inning on Thursday in Cincinnati. He’s not expected to start Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia, Dave Roberts told reporters on Saturday, <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/1667619684701835264">as shown on SportsNet LA</a>.
Notes: J.D. Martinez, Will Smith, stadium workers protest
The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> have been reliant on the top third of their starting lineup to factor in the majority of their offensive output. Not to be overlooked is one of their offseason signings in designated hitter J.D. Martinez, who after a torrid two-week stretch now leads the National League in slugging percentage at .612.
Notes: Bobby Miller, Will Smith, J.D. Martinez
The highly anticipated debut of Bobby Miller catapulted the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> to victory and a series win over the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a>, giving Los Angeles with the best record in the National League so far this season.
Will Smith gets $5.25 million in his first arb year
The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> avoided arbitration with catcher Will Smith before Friday’s deadline to exchange salaries. Smith and the Dodgers came to agreement on a $5.25-million contract for 2023, per multiple reports.