Cody Snavely
The offseason is in full swing, and the Dodger’s first order of business was signing Max Muncy to a two-year, 24-million-dollar contract extension with a club option for 2026 for 10 million.
This comes days before the club option deadline (five days after the World Series), and Muncy and the Dodgers had a 14 million dollar club option that many around the league assumed was a no-brainer decision that the Dodgers would pick up. The Dodgers instead rework a deal that gives Muncy an extra year while also lowering the AAV from 14 million to 12, which will undoubtedly help with the potential spending this offseason.
This past season was Muncy’s first year fully recovered from his elbow injury that he suffered at the end of the 2021 regular season, which required surgery and kept him out of the entire postseason that year after an up-and-down 2022, which saw Muncy’s overall production dip, 2023 was a more stable year, which saw the lefty hit 36 HR, 105 RBI, OPS+ 115, and OPS .808. It was indeed a career year for Max despite an abysmal .212 batting average.
What is the Dodgers’ plan for Muncy in 2024?
Right now, it is likely we will see Max Muncy back playing 3rd base like he did in 2023. While this may upset many Dodgers fans who were frustrated by his poor defense these past two seasons, he is the Dodger’s best internal option. Depending on how the offseason plays out, there could be a possibility of Muncy reverting to 2nd base or, perhaps, even DH if they somehow miss out on Ohtani and J.D. Martinez.
However, there were rumors last July of the Dodgers potentially packaging Muncy and other Dodgers in a blockbuster deal for Nolan Arenado, but nothing ever materialized past that. However, if the club wanted to revisit those trade scenarios, Muncy’s value would be at an all-time high due to his production, team control, and low salary. I imagine he will stay put for the next two seasons.
Max Muncy Dodgers legend?
With Muncy signing a two-year deal with a third-year option, Muncy has a chance to make some Dodgers history, potentially passing some Dodgers icons in the franchise home run records. Currently, Muncy sits 10th all-time with 175 bombs but could move up the list and pass names such as Matt Kemp and Steve Garvey and get close to Eric Karros, who is at 3rd with 270.
