ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves have agreed to an $8 million contract extension with catcher Travis d’Arnaud that ensures his return in 2023, as well as a club option that could extend the deal for a second season.
D’Arnaud recently rejoined the Braves after missing more than three months with a thumb injury. The deal announced Friday includes an $8 million club option for 2024 with no buyout.
The Braves, entering the last third of a nine-game road swing, finalized the extension before the start of a weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles.
Atlanta entered Friday having won 13 of its past 15 games – including six straight victories, the team’s longest streak of the season – and had a four-game lead over the second-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. The Braves are seeking their fourth straight title in the division.
D’Arnaud said he never had any desire to test his value on the market as a free agent.
“I’m very thankful they reached out to me. I wanted to come back,” he said. “It’s going to be fun. This team is built to win for a long time. I’m just so grateful to be part of it.”
D’Arnaud, 32, entered Friday hitting .223 with three home runs and 15 RBIs through 23 games this season, but the Braves are hopeful he can regain the form he showed last year in his first season with the club.
D’Arnaud batted .321 with nine homers and 34 RBIs in 2020, earning an NL Silver Slugger award as the top hitter at his position and helping the Braves keep their streak of division titles intact before a postseason run that brought them within a win of reaching the World Series. D’Arnaud had two homers and 10 RBIs in 12 playoff games.
“He wanted to be here, and we wanted him to stay,” general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “It’s a really good fit.”
D’Arnaud needed surgery on his left thumb after tearing a ligament while making a tag in a May 1 game against the Toronto Blue Jays. While he was out, the Braves went through five catchers without much success.
William Contreras got the first shot filling in for d’Arnaud, but the 23-year-old struggled during an extended stint as the starter. Contreras was sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett even before d’Arnaud had recovered from his injury, leaving the position in the hands of a revolving door of journeymen that included Kevan Smith, who was released, and Stephen Vogt.
Anthopoulos said the signing of d’Arnaud for possibly two more years gives prospects such as Contreras and Shea Langeliers – the No. 9 overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft who is currently at Double-A Mississippi – a chance to develop without being rushed to the majors.
“Contreras and Langeliers are exceptionally talented. I think they’re both going to be All-Stars at some point,” Anthopoulos said. “But there’s a lot more to that position than throwing guys out. It’s about preparation, having guys on the mound that believe in you. Experience and reps are really critical at that position.”
D’Arnaud said he’s eager to mentor the catchers who could replace him some day.
“Both of them are going to be studs in this league for a long time,” he said. “Hopefully they both know they can reach out to me any time with any questions they have.”
D’Arnaud signed a two-year, $16-million contract with the Braves ahead of the 2020 season after reviving his career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was released by the New York Mets early in the 2019 season and sold to Tampa Bay after a brief stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He suddenly blossomed with the Rays, hitting .263 with 16 homers and 67 RBIs in 92 games.
As part of his new deal, d’Arnaud will donate 1% of his earnings to the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Anthopoulos said others on the roster have a similar clause in their contracts, but it has never been publicized. He decided it was time to give Atlanta players credit for their role in improving the community.
“We live here. We care about this place,” the GM said. “The more awareness we can bring to that, and knowing the players are doing their part, I think is a real important thing.”