The Atlanta Braves are the kings of getting good players to sign team-friendly contract extensions.
The Braves announced on Tuesday night that they have signed catcher Sean Murphy to a six-year, $73 million contract extension that goes through 2028 season.
The press release adds that Murphy will have a “$15 million club option for 2029 that would give Murphy a seven-year deal worth $88 million,” and Murphy “will make $4 million in 2023, $9 million in 2024 and $15 million in 2025-28.”
#Braves Sign Sean Murphy: pic.twitter.com/CbuwZ6cMZa
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) December 28, 2022
Atlanta acquired Murphy from the Oakland Athletics in a blockbuster three-team trade on Dec. 12. And just a couple of weeks later, the Braves have locked Murphy up to a contract that looks like a bargain.
Murphy — who just turned 28 in October — is one of the best catchers in baseball and an ascending player. In 2022, he hit 18 home runs with a .250/.332/.426 slash line and 122 wRC+. He was valued at 5.1 wins above replacement (WAR) by FanGraphs, behind only J.T. Realmuto and Adley Rutschman among MLB catchers. The ability to both hit well and defend well at the premium position of catcher leads to an extremely valuable player.
And the Braves are now loaded with extremely valuable players on extremely friendly contracts. Murphy joins Ronald Acuna Jr., Michael Harris II, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Spencer Strider, and Ozzie Albies as Braves players that have signed extensions that look like great values on the surface.
The baseball world is amazed at Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos’ ability to sign Braves players to team-friendly extensions:
ESPN’s Jeff Passan tweeted, “The Braves’ club control after today’s six-year Sean Murphy extension:
Austin Riley, through 2033
Michael Harris II, 2032
Matt Olson, 2030
Sean Murphy, 2029
Spencer Strider, 2029
Ronald Acuña Jr., 2028
Vaughn Grissom, 2028
Ozzie Albies, 2027
Kyle Wright, 2026
Max Fried, 2024”
The Braves’ club control after today’s six-year Sean Murphy extension:
Austin Riley, through 2033
Michael Harris II, 2032
Matt Olson, 2030
Sean Murphy, 2029
Spencer Strider, 2029
Ronald Acuña Jr., 2028
Vaughn Grissom, 2028
Ozzie Albies, 2027
Kyle Wright, 2026
Max Fried, 2024— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 28, 2022
“In signing Sean Murphy, 28, to 6-year, $73M contract w/ 7th-yr $15M option (no buyout), #Braves lock up Gold Glove catcher who’s hit 35 homers in past 2 seasons (despite spacious OAK park), buying out 3-4 FA years w/ salary never above $15M. One of baseball’s top overall catchers,” tweeted David O’Brien of The Athletic.
In signing Sean Murphy, 28, to 6-year, $73M contract w/ 7th-yr $15M option (no buyout), #Braves lock up Gold Glove catcher who's hit 35 homers in past 2 seasons (despite spacious OAK park), buying out 3-4 FA years w/ salary never above $15M. One of baseball's top overall catchers
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) December 28, 2022
“Alex Anthopoulos needs to be arrested for several counts of robbery,” tweeted MLB Metrics.
Riley for $21M a year
Strider for $12.5M a year
Acuña for $12.5M a year
Harris for $9M a year
Albies for $5M a year
Murphy for $12.2M a yearAlex Anthopoulos needs to be arrested for several counts of robbery.
— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) December 28, 2022
“With their latest extension, the Braves have secured the same starting nine through the next Avatar premiere,” tweeted Alden González of ESPN.
With their latest extension, the Braves have secured the same starting nine through the next Avatar premier.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) December 28, 2022