Will Smith names MLB legend Derek Jeter as reason for signing massive 10-year, $140 million contract extension with Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers had picked Will Smith as a first round draft pick in 2016.

Will Smith (L) and Derek Jeter (R) [Image via Imago]

The name Will Smith is once again trending on social media and no it’s not because of actor Will Smith. Will Smith, the catcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers is the one who is being talked this time as he agreed to sign a massive 10-year, $140 million contract extension. He has now claimed Derek Jeter was one of the reason behind this decision.

Since making his MLB debut in 2019, Smith has spent his entire career with the Dodgers. With this 10-year contract extension, his tenure with the team could go up to 2033 that would see him represent the National League side for 15 years.

This was something that Will Smith and the Dodgers had been working on for a long time. The two parties are reported to have been working on his from the last two seasons but were unable to reach to an agreement. Speaking on this contract extension, Smith would name Derek Jeter and how he wanted to try and do something like him.

Jeter, the former New York Yankees captain, spent his entire 20-year career with the Bronx Bombers. This playing for one franchise thing was something Smith “always dreamed” of as a kid.
Thinking back as a kid and watching Derek Jeter and those guys that played their whole career [with one team], you always dreamed of that as a kid.

Will Smith on his contract extension as per MLB.com.

Interestingly, this contract extension talks comes a day before his birthday. Born in 1995, Smith will turn 29-years-old on Thursday. An early birthday present from the Dodgers perhaps.

Will Smith to have deferrals in contract extension

When it comes to contracts in MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers have started to make a name for themselves with their huge deals. The Southern California side have worked on several big deals this season following the signing of stars like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow. However, the major thing that has caught the eye of the fans is the deferred pay.

After signing Ohtani on a mega $700 million deal, the team have deferred a total of $680 million of it till 2034. While this move caused a huge uproar on social media, this step was totally legal. They have now once again used this tactic and deferred some of the money in Will Smith’s contract extension as well.
Will Smith (Image via Imago)
According to reports from Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Will Smith will receive $30 million signing bonus which will be paid in the first two years of the deal. The deferrals of $5 million per year will be paid out to him from the year 2034 to 2043.

Smith’s contract is also a historic one. This is now the longest deal given to any catcher in MLB, surpassing the previous record of eight-year deals given to Buster Posey, Joe Mauer and Keibert Ruiz. With no opts out in the deal, Smith is likely going to be new record holder of this one for now.