Muncy, Dodgers agree to 2-year, $24M extension
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LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers didn’t waste any time getting their offseason started.
A day after the conclusion of the World Series, the Dodgers made their first big decision of the winter, agreeing to a two-year, $24 million extension with third baseman Max Muncy, keeping the former National League All-Star under contract through the 2025 season. The deal also includes a $10 million club option for ‘26.
For the Dodgers, the deal helps keep Muncy under team control for two more seasons. The club had until Monday to decide whether or not to pick up Muncy’s $14 million club option for the 2024 season. With this deal, the Dodgers will now pay Muncy $12 million in ‘24 and another $12 million in ‘25.
As for Muncy, the third baseman has some more clarity on his future. He has made it known multiple times that he wants to continue playing for the Dodgers, even if it’s for a smaller salary than he’d get on the open market. Barring a trade, this guarantees that he’ll hit in the middle of the Dodgers’ order for at least the next two seasons.
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After a dismal 2022 season, Muncy had a big bounce-back year in ‘23, re-establishing himself as one of the biggest power threats in the NL. Muncy matched a career high with 36 homers last season and has eclipsed the 30-homer mark in four of his five full seasons since joining the Dodgers in ‘18.
Muncy, along with Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and Freddie Freeman, was part of the first quartet to eclipse the 100-RBI mark in a single season in franchise history. Muncy’s 175 homers with the Dodgers rank sixth since the team moved to Los Angeles.
Defensively, however, Muncy took a step back at third base. In his first season at the position in 2022, Muncy more than held his own and was considered a strength defensively for the Dodgers. In ‘23, Muncy struggled in the field, particularly towards the end of the campaign.
By locking up Muncy this early in the offseason, the Dodgers now have a better idea of what the remaining needs are for the rest of the winter. They will continue looking to add offense and will be heavily involved in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes. Los Angeles could also use some outfield help and an upgrade offensively at shortstop.
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Martinez, Jason Heyward, David Peralta, Kiké Hernández, Amed Rosario, Kolten Wong and Jake Marisnick are all the position players that officially became free agents on Nov. 2. Pitchers Ryan Brasier, Daniel Hudson, Joe Kelly, Clayton Kershaw, Lance Lynn and Shelby Miller are also some of the names that are free agents or have club options this winter.
It’ll be a busy offseason for the Dodgers. They’re looking to put two consecutive disappointing postseason runs behind them. They got it all started with a bang with Muncy back in the fold.