The Atlanta Braves have officially extended the contract of Manager Fredi Gonzalez and the entire coaching staff through the end of the 2016 season.
#Braves announced today that they have extended the contract of manager Fredi Gonzalez through the 2016 season, with a club option for 2017
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 17, 2015
In addition, the contract of each member of the Major League coaching staff has been extended through 2016, also with a club option for 2017
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 17, 2015
The coaching staff of course includes fan favorites and former Braves players like first base coach Terry Pendelton and bullpen coach Eddie Perez. Other notable names are heralded pitching coach Roger McDowell, new third base coach and former Astros manager Bo Porter, and first year hitting coach Kevin Seitzer
The decision to extend Fredi is a bit controversial for some (me included), but John Hart must have felt that there was some correlation to the Braves not being quite as bad as expected and Fredi’s handling of a complete roster overhaul. The brief, one year extension with only an option for 2017 may indicate however that Hart and company don’t feel the need to shakeup the coaching staff in the midst of such an awkward transition.
About to start the second half of his 9th season as a major league manager, Fredi Gonzalez owns a career 676-616 record, including a 400-337 over the past 5 seasons as the successor to longtime manager Bobby Cox. He has received votes for the annual Manager of the Year award in 2008 and 2009 with the then Florida (now Miami) Marlins, and in 2011-13 with the Braves. Fredi has lead the Braves to two playoff appearances: in 2012 to the inaugural Wild Card playoff (where the Braves lost to the Cardinals on the infamous “infield fly” call), and in 2013, when the team won the 96 games and the National League East.