atlanta braves Another key player has been signed for a long-term contract.
Sean Murphy in after taking the catch a three-team deal Earlier in December, the Braves announced that the Gold Glove winner had agreed to a $73 million, six-year contract.
The deal includes a club option for the 2029 season worth $15 million. Murphy will earn $4 million in the upcoming 2023 season.
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Catcher Sean Murphy of the Oakland Athletics looks on against the Los Angeles Angels at RingCentral Coliseum on October 4, 2022 in Oakland, California.
(Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
His salary will increase to $9 million in 2024. From 2025 to 2028, Catcher is set to make $15 million. He has committed to donating 1% of his annual earnings to the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Murphy spent the last four years with them in Oakland athletics, a team that lost over 100 games last season. He joins a Braves team that has won more than 100 games in 2022 and has claimed its fifth consecutive NL East title.
the brave won world series In 2021. Murphy said he is looking forward to settling down on the East Coast.
“My wife is looking forward to having a place where she feels comfortable, at least for a while,” Murphy said. “It’s important to us.”
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In recent years, the Braves organization has made it a priority to agree new contracts with players who are still in control of the club for an extended period. In the past year, they reached long-term deals with rookie stars Michael Harris II and Spencer Strider, along with Austin Riley and Matt Olson.
Harris received rookie of the Year honors in November, while Strider received the second most votes.
Atlanta previously signed outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and second baseman Ozzie Albies to similar deals, ensuring that seven core players are under contract for at least three more seasons – and often much longer – with the club. With options that can whip up deals even more.
Murphy said, “It’s an honor to be included in the mix.” “Going forward, I can see nothing but greatness for this team over the next several years.”
Sean Murphy of the Oakland Athletics at bat against the Los Angeles Angels at RingCentral Coliseum on October 4, 2022 in Oakland, California.
(Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Braves sent all-star catcher William Contreras and minor league pitcher Justin Yeager to the Brewers, while backup catcher Manny Pina and pitching prospects Kyle Mueller, Freddy Tarnock and Royber Salinas went to Oakland in exchange for Murphy’s services.
Murphy was going into his first year of arbitration and was not eligible for free agency until 2026.
Sean Murphy of the Oakland Athletics prepares to pitch against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on July 13, 2022 in Arlington, Texas.
(Tim Heitman / Getty Images)
Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos was born in Montreal and said he remembers what it was like when a player he loved left.
“I’m sure there’s a small part of me that knows what it’s like to see good young players traded away, or that they can’t keep them,” Anthopoulos said. “So, I think there’s a little part of me that feels from a fan-base perspective, it’s important that if you’re going to buy a jersey, they’re going to be here for a while.”
Murphy batted .250 in 148 games last season with 18 homers, 66 RBI and a .759 OPS. His defensive prowess earned him a Gold Glove in 2021.
Murphy is expected to share playing time behind the plate with veteran Travis d’Arnaud. Contreras and D’Arnaud were able to stay relatively fresh last season by sharing catching and designated-hitting duties. The Braves are expecting similar workloads for D’Arnaud and Murphy in 2023.
One of Atlanta’s most popular and productive players has left free agency for the second year in a row. Last year, former NL MVP and fan favorite Freddie Freeman left for his native California and signed a long-term deal. los angeles dodgers,
This month, metro Atlanta native Dansby Swanson signed a $177 million, seven-year deal chicago cubs, Swanson was coming off a career best season and played in all 162 games in 2022.
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Von Grissom, who was called up to the big league club during the season to fill in at second base for injured Albies, is the leading candidate to replace Swanson at shortstop. Infielder Orlando Arcia is also an option.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.