MLB's highest-paid catchers for 2024 season. Top 10.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are committed to All-Star catcher Will Smith for the long run.
Smith and the Dodgers agreed to a 10-year, $140 million extension, believed to be the longest term for a catcher's contract, before the 2024 season began.
Smith's contract is also believed to be the longest one-time extension for a catcher, surpassing Buster Posey's nine-year, $167 million deal with San Francisco and Joe Mauer's eight-year, $184 million extension with Minnesota a decade ago. Current Royals catcher Salvador Perez is on his third contract extension (four years, $82 million), following four- and five-year deals.
Smith's average annual value of $14 million is nearly half of Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto's deal ($23.1 million), but the total contract value was friendly enough for him not to test free agency.
− Contributing: Gabe Lacques
Who are the highest-paid MLB catchers in 2024?
Here's the top 10:
1. J.T. Realmuto, Phillies – $23,875,000
2. Salvador Perez, Royals – $20,000,000
3. Willson Contreras, Cardinals – $18,000,000
4. Will Smith, Dodgers – $14,000,000
5. James McCann, Orioles – $12,000,000
6. Mitch Garver, Mariners – $10,500,000
7. Christian Vázquez, Twins – $10,000,000
8. Sean Murphy, Braves – $9,000,000
9. Travis d'Arnaud, Braves – $8,000,000
t-10. Omar Narváez, Mets – $7,000,000
t-10 Max Stassi, White Sox – $7,000,000
Who is highest-paid MLB player at each position in 2024?
Catcher: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies – $23.9 million
First base: Kris Bryant, Rockies – $28 million
Second base: José Altuve, Astros – $29.0 million
Shortstop: Corey Seager, Rangers – $35 million
Third base: Anthony Rendon, Angels – $38.6 million
Center fielder: Aaron Judge, Yankees – $40 million
Left fielder: Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers – $23.5 million
Right fielder: Juan Soto, Yankees – $31.1 million
Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers – $70 million
Starting pitchers: Max Scherzer, Rangers and Justin Verlander, Astros – $43.3 million
Relief pitcher: Josh Hader, Astros − $19.0 million
Top 10 highest-paid at each position
1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF | C | DH | P
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB's highest-paid catchers for 2024 season
