Muncy, Dodgers agree on a new 2-year, $24M deal
LOS ANGELES ❯❯ The Dodgers' first move of the offseason was to sign third baseman Max Muncy to a new contract that could run through the 2026 season.
Muncy agreed to a twoyear, $24 million deal that will pay him $12 million in 2024 – $5 million as a signing bonus, $7 million in salary – and $12 million in salary in 2025. The deal also includes bonus clauses based on plate appearances and a club option that would pay Muncy an additional $10 million in 2026 if activated.
The new contract replaces a club option that would have paid Muncy $14 million in 2024.
The 33-year-old Muncy had a career-high 105 RBIs in 2023 and is a finalist for the National League's Silver Slugger award at third base. But he paired it with a .212 batting average, one of the lowest ever for a 100RBI season. Despite the low average, Muncy had an .808 OPS last season, the fourth time in six seasons with the Dodgers he has topped .800.
Muncy also hit 36 home runs, matching his careerbest set in 2021, and has hit at least 35 home runs in four of the past five full seasons.
An All-Star in 2019 and 2021, Muncy's 175 home runs with the Dodgers ranks sixth in Los Angeles Dodgers history (just two behind Mike Piazza for fifth place on the all-time list).
Muncy has played first, second and third base in his six seasons with the Dodgers but played almost exclusively at third base in 2023 (121 starts there with 10 more at DH). He ranked well below average statistically at the position. His 16 errors were second among all third basemen behind Boston's Rafael Devers (19 in 27 more games) and his .944 fielding percentage was the lowest among players who played at least 45 games at third base.
The Dodgers now have approximately $96 million committed to seven players in 2024 — first baseman Freddie Freeman, right fielder/second baseman Mookie Betts, utility man Chris Taylor, infielder Miguel Rojas, pitcher Tony Gonsolin, catcher Austin Barnes and Muncy. They also have club option decisions to make regarding pitchers Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson and Alex Reyes. 5 DODGERS RECOGNIZED AS SILVER SLUGGER FINALISTS ❯❯ A lineup that produced more than 900 runs for the first time in Los Angeles Dodgers history and only the sixth time in franchise history has been recognized with five players named finalists for Silver Slugger awards at six positions.
Additionally, the Dodgers are one of four teams, along with the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres, named as finalists for the National League Offensive Team of the Year award. It is the first year for the team award.
Already a five-time Silver Slugger award winner in the outfield, Mookie Betts could add two more to that total. He is one of six finalists in the outfield as well as one of four finalists for the award as a utility player. Betts made starts in right field, at second base and shortstop this season.
The Dodgers also have finalists at first base (Freddie Freeman), designated hitter (J.D. Martinez), catcher (Will Smith) and third base (Max Muncy).
Freeman and Martinez have each won the award three times in the past. It would be the first award for Smith or Martinez.
The award is given to the top offensive player at each position as determined by a vote of managers and coaches from each team. This year's winners will be announced next Thursday (Nov. 9) at 3 p.m. PT on MLB Network.