According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the deal will keep Smith tied to the Dodgers until his age-38 season.

This contract extension places Smith's deal as the third-largest ever for a catcher in terms of total value. Only Joe Mauer's eight-year, $184 million contract with the Minnesota Twins and Buster Posey's nine-year, $167 million contract with the San Francisco Giants surpass it. However, it is worth noting that Smith's deal comes with a relatively low average annual value of $14 million, which will help the team manage their competitive balance tax bill over the coming years.

Previously, Smith was set to hit free agency after the 2025 season. However, the Dodgers managed to avoid that scenario by signing him to this multi-year extension. This move ensures Smith's continued presence behind the plate for the team.

Smith's value to the Dodgers cannot be understated. Over the past five seasons, he has established himself as one of the best all-around catchers in baseball, making him a vital part of the team's core. With a career batting line of .263/.358/.484, Smith's offensive numbers are elite for a catcher. Furthermore, his strong pop time and blocking skills behind the plate, as evaluated by Statcast, further enhance his value.

While Smith may eventually transition to a different position in the later years of this long-term contract, the length of the deal suggests that the Dodgers believe his hitting prowess will endure beyond his role as a starting catcher. Additionally, the team's impressive collection of catching prospects in their minor league system indicates that they are planning for the future beyond Smith's tenure.

Leading the Dodgers' catching prospect rankings is Dalton Rushing, who holds the number one spot. Behind him are Diego Cartaya, once considered the heir apparent at the position but downgraded due to a challenging 2023 season, and Thayron Liranzo, who ranks as the tenth prospect. The emergence of any of these prospects could potentially result in Smith seeing less time as a catcher, although trades can always provide a solution to any logjam that may occur.

Overall, the Los Angeles Dodgers' decision to secure Will Smith's services for the long term demonstrates their commitment to maintaining a strong and competitive team. With his offensive prowess and contributions behind the plate, Smith has quietly become a star for the Dodgers, and this new contract extension solidifies his place as a key player in their lineup for years to come.