The Atlanta Braves have made a significant move by signing catcher Travis d’Arnaud to a one-year, $8 million extension. This contract also includes an $8 million club option for the 2025 season with no buyout. The team announced the deal on Tuesday, and it has generated a lot of buzz among baseball fans.
D’Arnaud has been a valuable asset for the Braves this season, contributing both offensively and defensively. Through 136 at-bats, he has a solid slash line of .265/.338/.478 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs. These numbers highlight his ability to make an impact at the plate and drive in runs for his team.
This extension comes after d’Arnaud signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Braves during the 2019-20 offseason. He then re-signed with the team halfway through the 2021 season for another two years. These previous deals demonstrate the Braves’ confidence in d’Arnaud’s abilities and his importance to the team’s success.
The decision to extend d’Arnaud’s contract is not surprising considering the Braves’ approach to their catching position. Under catching coach Sal Fasano, the team has prioritized having two quality catchers rather than relying on a traditional frontline starter and a backup with strong defense but a weak bat. This strategy has paid off for the Braves, as they currently lead the majors in home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS from their catchers.
The acquisition of Sean Murphy from the Oakland A’s last winter led many to believe that d’Arnaud would be traded before the start of the season or at least by the trade deadline. However, president of baseball operations/general manager Alex Anthopoulos made it clear that the Braves had no intention of parting ways with d’Arnaud. Anthopoulos expressed his desire to keep d’Arnaud in the organization for as long as he wanted to play.
Anthopoulos reaffirmed this commitment by signing d’Arnaud to a new $8 million deal that includes a club option for the 2025 season. This move solidifies d’Arnaud’s role with the team and ensures that the Braves will continue to benefit from his contributions on the field.
The decision to extend d’Arnaud’s contract is also influenced by Murphy’s performance. The 2022 All-Star has been exceptional this season and was voted to start in the All-Star Game. He has proven to be a valuable addition to the team since being traded to the Braves, and his success has allowed the team to maintain a strong catching duo.
Since joining the Braves in 2020, d’Arnaud has been a consistent contributor. He has hit 42 home runs and driven in 143 RBIs while maintaining a slash line of .266/.326/.465. These numbers highlight his ability to provide power at the plate while also being a reliable presence behind it.
Overall, the decision to extend Travis d’Arnaud’s contract is a testament to his value to the Atlanta Braves. The team recognizes his contributions both offensively and defensively and believes that he is an integral part of their success. With this extension, the Braves have solidified their catching position and ensured that they have a strong duo behind the plate for years to come.
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