ATLANTA — It turned out that Marcell Ozuna was the one Braves participant who might assume his contract choice can be exercised.
Together with saying Ozuna’s $16 million choice had been picked up on Monday, the Braves made the surprising revelation that they’d declined Travis d’Arnaud’s $8 million choice. Luke Jackson’s $7 million choice was additionally declined.
The Braves haven’t closed the door on re-signing d’Arnaud sooner or later this winter. However they weren’t presently in place to decide to paying him $8 million for subsequent season. So, the veteran now turns into one of the vital engaging catchers obtainable on this 12 months’s free-agent market.
In the future after the Braves had been eradicated by the Padres within the Wild Card Collection, president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos indicated every of the staff’s 4 gamers with an choice was in place to return. It was realized he didn’t imply to incorporate Jackson on this group. However the one preliminary shock was the staff would possibly train Aaron Bummer’s $7.25 million choice.
As soon as Bummer’s contract was finalized, there was at the least purpose to surprise if d’Arnaud may also be given a multiyear contract that might have included a wage of lower than $8 million for subsequent season. Not exercising his choice actually wasn’t anticipated.
d’Arnaud has been a clubhouse chief since coming to Atlanta earlier than the 2020 season. The 35-year-old catcher hit .238 with 15 house runs and a .738 OPS in 99 video games this previous season. He needed to carry the load whereas projected major catcher Sean Murphy missed the season’s first two months with an indirect pressure. However d’Arnaud continued to share the catching function whereas Murphy produced a disappointing .636 OPS over the rest of the season.
Coincidently, one of many causes the Braves must create some payroll flexibility for 2025 is the truth that Murphy’s wage will rise from $9 million to $15 million. Spencer Strider’s wage rises from $1 million to $4 million. Chris Sale’s $16 million wage for the ’24 season was primarily paid for by the Purple Sox. However he’ll price $22 million in ’25.
Murphy might actually bounce again and be the productive offensive performer he was throughout the first half of his 2023 All-Star season. However at the same time as he aged, d’Arnaud offered the Braves the insurance coverage they gained’t have subsequent 12 months.
Chadwick Tromp has proven he generally is a serviceable backup catcher, and Drake Baldwin’s inventory actually rose because the Braves’ No. 5 prospect produced a .891 OPS over 334 plate appearances on the Triple-A stage this 12 months. However there stays some uncertainty about how Baldwin might compete each offensively and defensively on the massive league stage.
Anthopoulos expressed the worth of expertise when requested about Baldwin the day after his staff’s season ended.
“There’s a lot thrown at these guys with the sport planning and the sport calling and all that past the sport offensively,” Anthopoulos stated. “I don’t suppose you ever go mistaken at that place getting extra time to develop.”
No matter who serves as Murphy’s backup, the Braves’ lineup ought to as soon as once more profit from Ozuna, who has been one of many sport’s high offensive performers, whereas belting 79 homers and setting up a .916 OPS over the previous two seasons. The 33-year-old slugger hit .302 with 39 house runs and a .924 OPS this 12 months.
Jackson was acquired from the Giants on the Commerce Deadline for his second tour of obligation with the Braves. The 33-year-old reliever had a 4.50 ERA in 18 innings with Atlanta.
