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Max Muncy’s latest extension could make him a Dodger for life.
The Los Angeles Dodgers extended third baseman Max Muncy for the 2027 season. The Dodgers’ longest-tenured player is guaranteed at least one more season in Los Angeles.
FanSided’s Robert Murray broke down the contract extension. Muncy is guaranteed $7 million for the 2027 season, with a $10 million club option for 2028. Even though Murray didn’t explicitly report the club option’s buyout figure, it’s implied to be $3 million. However, it would be a huge shock if that club option isn’t exercised.
Muncy’s 2027 salary will be determined by the number of plate appearances he logs in 2026. The escalators kick in when he records his 401st plate appearance, a figure higher than his 2024 and 2025 totals. In the prior three seasons, he averaged 578 plate appearances.
Muncy can earn $20K for every plate appearance from his 401st to his 500th. Once he exceeds 500, he’ll earn $35K for each of his next 50. It adds up to a maximum of $3.75 million. Regardless of how many plate appearances he logs, the deal is likely to be a steal for the Dodgers.
Max Muncy’s Illustrious Career With the Dodgers
Muncy, 35, was picked off the scrap heap by the Dodgers in 2017 and debuted with the club the next season. Once a struggling infielder with the Athletics, he blossomed into an impact slugger and a key cog in their lineup.
Muncy owns a career slash line of .232/.358/.485 with 209 home runs in eight seasons in Los Angeles. He operates with a take-and-rake approach, averaging 36 home runs and 100 walks per 162 games as a Dodger.
Muncy has been a part of three World Series Championships (2020, 2024, 2025) in Los Angeles. He owns a career .236/.381/.436 slash in the postseason. His bat played a key role in the 2020 and 2025 championships. Muncy recorded a +9.4 Championship Win Probability Added in the 2020 World Series, and +12.7% in 2025.
He has settled into a third base platoon with utility infielder Kike Hernandez, serving as the left-handed bat. Since 2021, he owns a .236/.365/.485 slash against right-handed pitchers. FanGraphs estimates his offense to be about 33% better than the league-average hitter, with a 133 wRC+.
Why Max Muncy Would Sign Another Team-Friendly Extension
Muncy continues to be one of the biggest bargains for the Dodgers. Since 2021, he’s totaled 17.1 Wins Above Replacement, or 3.4 per season. Over that time, he’s only earned about $59.5 million.
Murray cites a source close to the Dodgers slugger, who always wants to outearn his contract every year. Muncy has done that consistently throughout his career. Based on his track record, it’s a safe bet to assume that he’ll continue that for the next two seasons.
In addition to taking less money, he’s also sacrificed so the Dodgers could sign Freddie Freeman. The Freeman signing in 2022 displaced him from his natural first base spot, but he’s made it work defensively at third base. That has kept his productive bat in the lineup against right-handed pitchers. That sacrifice has enabled the Dodgers to win back-to-back championships.
Muncy will also gain 10-and-5 rights near the end of the 2026 season. The likelihood the Dodgers would trade him is very low, but it gives him a little extra leverage to control his exit. However, it’s more likely that he’ll remain a Dodger for the rest of his playing career.
Michael McDermott Michael McDermott is a writer at Heavy Sports covering the Arizona Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball. Michael has 10 years experience writing about the D-backs and their farm system for AZ Snake Pit, Burn City Sports, and Diamondbacks On SI. More about Michael McDermott
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