LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder and MLB champion Mookie Betts signed a huge contract extension on Wednesday worth $365 million for 12 years that will keep Betts in L.A. until 2032.
While currently on his $27 million deal for one season, Betts is estimated to make a total of $392 million for 13 years.
“I just love being here,” Betts said in a Zoom video conference. “I love everything about here. I’m here to win some rings and bring championships back to LA. That’s all I’m focused on.”
Traditionally since Andrew Friedman became president, the Dodgers have yet to offer players large contracts of this magnitude, but according to Friedman this plan had been in the works for quite some time.
“It was something we really wanted to do … We were hopeful that he’d get here, fall in love with it, go out there and win a bunch of games,” Friedman said on Wednesday.
The Dodgers are loaded with talent now and for the future, especially with the flexibility to have Betts, Cody Bellinger and Walker Buehler until at least the 2024 season. Adding a core of Will Smith, Dustin May and Corey Seager, the Dodgers have a formula that will work wonders on the diamond. The Dodgers have not won a championship since 1988, and although fans have been restless, this team is primed to win at best a couple of championships before it’s all said and done.
He’ll also have an opportunity to be a part of the L.A. communities to help bring baseball to young people from Black and Brown areas, in order to grow the sport more as he spoke about many weeks ago.
When asked, Betts said he had no problem being the face of the organization if that’s what it takes to win. His main concern beyond staying healthy is to bring trophies back to Los Angeles.
“This is what I’ve been working for my whole life. I know the Dodgers are going to be good for a long time. I love being here, everything about being here,” Betts said. “The people here made me feel so comfortable. Everybody’s amazing. This organization is a well-oiled machine. I love it.”
