Max Muncy's Contract Includes Bonuses for Every Plate Appearance Max Muncy, the 35-year-old third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has signed a team-friendly contract that includes lucrative bonuses tied to his plate appearances. According to a report by the New York Post, Muncy earns $15,000 for each plate appearance from his 401st to 550th of the season, with a maximum bonus of $2.25 million. This structure has already generated a $600,000 bonus for Muncy, who has reached 441 plate appearances through August 20. The bonus is contingent on him maintaining his performance without major injuries for the remainder of the season. The contract’s unique clause rewards Muncy for every plate appearance beyond a specific threshold, effectively turning the final 150 appearances of the season into a performance-driven incentive. The Post noted that this arrangement aligns with Muncy’s history of accepting team-friendly deals, allowing the Dodgers to manage costs while still incentivizing production. The clause also reflects a broader trend in Major League Baseball, where players often receive lump-sum bonuses for meeting plate appearance milestones. For example, Ketel Marte’s recent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks includes salary increases tied to reaching 500, 550, 600, or 625 plate appearances, while Vinnie Pasquantino’s deal with the Kansas City Royals offers bonus payments for hitting 450, 500, or 550 appearances. Muncy’s contract extends beyond this season. For 2027, he is eligible for additional bonuses based on plate appearances: $20,000 for each appearance from 401 to 500, and $35,000 for those from 501 to 550, with a maximum additional $3.75 million. His base salary for 2027 is $7 million, which could rise to $10.75 million if he meets these thresholds. Combined with the $2.#los_angeles_dodgers #new_york_post #arizona_diamondbacks #max_muncy #ketel_marte
Max Muncy's Contract Incentives Unlock $6M in Additional Value for Dodgers Max Muncy has never seemed particularly interested in squeezing every last dollar out of the Dodgers. But unique clauses in his latest contract are now doing that work for him. After crossing the 400-plate appearance mark, Muncy activated one of the more unusual incentive structures in baseball. From plate appearances 401 through 550, the Dodgers third baseman earns $15,000 every time he steps to the plate. This is only part of the equation. Every plate appearance from 401 through 500 also adds $20,000 to Muncy's 2027 salary. Once he reaches No. 501, that future bump jumps to $35,000 per trip to the plate through 550. That means each appearance from 401-500 carries $35,000 in combined value between this season and next. From 501-550, that number balloons to $50,000. If Muncy reaches all 150 available incentive plate appearances, he would collect $2.25 million in 2026 bonuses and add another $3.75 million to his 2027 salary—$6 million in additional value altogether. His 2027 base salary is $7 million, meaning the escalators could push it to $10.75 million. Muncy's extension also contains a $10 million club option for 2028 with a $3 million buyout. This arrangement is fitting for a player who has repeatedly accepted team-friendly deals to remain in Los Angeles. When Muncy signed his latest extension, he openly acknowledged leaving money on the table because he valued staying with a championship contender. The concept of incentive-based contracts is not new in baseball, but Muncy's version stands out for its granularity. Arizona star Ketel Marte can add as much as $2.5 million to a future season's salary by reaching plate-appearance milestones at 500, 550, 600, and 625.#los_angeles_dodgers #vinnie_pasquantino #arizona_diamondbacks #max_muncy #ketel_marte
Yankees vs. Dodgers Game Postponed Amid Weather Delays The highly anticipated interleague matchup between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers faced an unexpected setback when the second game of the series was postponed due to sustained inclement weather. The decision came just hours before the originally scheduled start time on Saturday, prompting the league to reschedule the contest as part of a doubleheader on Sunday. This adjustment allows the Yankees and Dodgers to complete their three-game series without further disruption, though it introduces logistical challenges for fans and stadium operations. The first game of the series had already set the tone for a competitive showdown, with both teams showcasing strong pitching performances. Gerrit Cole of the Yankees and Roki Sasaki of the Dodgers delivered standout outings, while their respective bullpens maintained control throughout the contest. The decisive moment came in the seventh inning when Max Muncy of the Dodgers hit a two-run home run, securing the victory for the National League squad and giving them an early series lead. Fans had anticipated a similarly intense second game, but the weather conditions forced a change in plans. The rescheduling of Game 2 to Sunday afternoon, followed by Game 3 in the evening, marks a strategic move to accommodate the weather-related delay. However, this arrangement creates a unique challenge for Yankee Stadium, which will host both games in a single day. The Yankees have announced a "split admission doubleheader" policy, meaning fans who purchased tickets for Saturday’s postponed game will only be allowed to attend the first game on Sunday. This decision raises concerns about fan experience, as some attendees may be unwilling to leave the stadium after the conclusion of the first contest.#yankees #dodgers #gerrit_cole #roki_sasaki #max_muncy
Max Muncy's All-Around Excellence Marks Best Season at 35 for Dodgers LOS ANGELES — Max Muncy, the 35-year-old third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is on pace for his best all-around season in his 11-year career. Leading all qualified National League third basemen in home runs, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS, and FanGraphs' wins above replacement (WAR), Muncy is also grading out as one of the league’s top defensive third basemen. His performance has positioned him as a strong contender for an All-Star spot, breaking a 49-year drought for the Dodgers at the position. Muncy’s dominance is evident in his statistical output. As of June 2026, he had accumulated over 900,000 votes in the All-Star balloting, far surpassing other NL third basemen, who had fewer than 400,000. His 148 OPS+—hitting 48% better than league average—is the second-highest mark of his career, trailing only his breakout 2018 season (161 OPS+). This season, he’s on pace for a 6.3-WAR season, which would mark the most valuable campaign of his career. Muncy’s resurgence has been fueled by improved health and adjustments to his game. After a slow start in 2025, he rebounded with an OPS over .900 from late April through the end of the season. A key factor in his offensive revival was the adoption of prescription glasses, which corrected his vision and allowed him to see the ball more clearly. However, injuries had previously hampered his performance. In 2025, oblique and knee issues limited him to 100 games, while in 2024, a rib injury and oblique strain forced him to miss three months. For Muncy, staying healthy has been a critical challenge as he ages. “It just means I’m healthy,” he said, reflecting on his current form.#los_angeles_dodgers #dave_roberts #mookie_betts #max_muncy #chris_woodward
Max Muncy Returns to Athletics from Injured List The Oakland Athletics have welcomed back slugger Max Muncy from the 10-day injured list ahead of their series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers at Las Vegas Ballpark. The move aims to bolster the team’s offense, which has struggled to meet preseason expectations. Muncy, who was sidelined since April 28 with a fractured left hand, was reinstated to the active roster on Monday, with infielder Darell Hernaiz optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room. Muncy’s return marks a significant step for the A’s, who have relied heavily on his power-hitting abilities to elevate their offensive output. During his rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas, Muncy demonstrated strong form, batting .370 (10-for-27) with three home runs, two doubles, and nine RBIs in seven games. His performance convinced manager Mark Kotsay that the timing was right to bring him back to the majors. “Max had a pretty good rehab stint,” Kotsay said. “We felt the timing was right. He’s healthy and seems to be having consistent at-bats. His rhythm and timing is there.” The manager emphasized that Muncy’s return could address the team’s current offensive struggles, as the A’s have scored just 273 runs through the season’s early stages, ranking 20th in Major League Baseball. Kotsay highlighted the need for improvement, noting that the team’s offensive production has fallen short of expectations. “As an offense, our expectation level is better than that,” he said. “We’re still searching for that success and that lineup that can produce those runs. I think Max will help with that. He helped with that before his injury with the slug that he can create, so we’re excited about having him back.” Muncy’s return to the lineup saw him start at third base on Monday, batting fifth in the order.#milwaukee_brewers #oakland_athletics #max_muncy #las_vegas_ballpark #mark_kotsay
Dodgers End Cubs' 10-Game Winning Streak with 12-4 Victory The Los Angeles Dodgers ended the Chicago Cubs’ 10-game winning streak with a 12-4 victory on Saturday night, overcoming a sluggish start to dominate the game and shift momentum in the three-game series. The win, which came at Dodger Stadium under overcast skies and a brief rain shower, highlighted the Dodgers’ offensive resurgence and marked a turning point in their recent struggles. The Cubs had entered the game with an MLB-best 10-game winning streak, but the Dodgers’ explosive performance in the fourth inning sealed their fate. The Cubs took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning against Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki. However, the Dodgers quickly responded in the bottom of the frame, with Shohei Ohtani leading off the inning with a walk. Two batters later, Max Muncy hit a game-tying home run, breaking a 0-for-12 slump for the Japanese star. The Dodgers continued to apply pressure, and by the end of the fourth inning, they had extended their lead to 8-3. The offensive explosion came in the bottom of the fourth, where the Dodgers unleashed a six-run inning that showcased their team-wide resurgence. Hyeseong Kim opened the rally with a one-out single, and the hits kept coming. Alex Freeland doubled to bring Kim home, while Ohtani walked and Freddie Freeman followed with an RBI single. Both Ohtani and Freeman scored on a base hit from Teoscar Hernández, who had been in a 0-for-13 slump. Dalton Rushing and Andy Pages added runs with doubles, capping the inning with 11 Dodgers hitters reaching base. Manager Dave Roberts praised the team’s ability to “stress” opposing pitchers, a hallmark of the Dodgers’ approach. “We all love home runs, but our club’s hallmark is stress and continuing to put pressure on the opposing pitchers,” Roberts said.#chicago_cubs #shohei_ohtani #los_angeles_dodgers #roki_sasaki #max_muncy
