The Atlanta Braves look will lean on a dynamic catching duo once again in 2024. The team announced today that catcher Travis d’Arnaud and the team agreed to a one-year $8 million contract for 2024. The deal includes a club option at $8 million as well for 2025, with no buyout.
The Atlanta #Braves today signed C Travis d’Arnaud to a one-year, $8 million contract for the 2024 season which includes an $8 million club option for 2025 with no buyout. pic.twitter.com/SkN4NgZIbr
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 18, 2023
d’Arnaud has been with Atlanta since AA signed him before the 2020 season. In a Braves uniform he carries a .266/.326/.465 slash line with 42 home runs and 143 RBIs. Travis pairs with Murphy to form the best 1-2 catching duo in baseball.
On the 2023 season d’Arnaud been worth 0.9 fWAR in just 38 games played via Fangraphs. He also sports a .352 wOBA and 119 wRC+ thus far in 2023. Coming into the season catcher was not viewed as a position of need as d’Arnaud had been the majority starter since 2020.
Last season William Contreras served as the backup catcher/DH and had a very impressive offensive season. That did not stop Alex Anthopoulos from aquiring Sean Murphy from the Oakland A’s for prospects, as well as sending Contreras to Milwaukee.
Murphy has been as advertised and then some in 2023 as his 3.8 fWAR ranks 6th in all of MLB. Although, d’Arnaud has seen a lot more time as the backup catcher because of Murphy’s production, that still is a role the Braves see as highly valuable as you can see from this new deal.
Murphy was extended before the season began, and now he will pair with d’Arnaud in 2024 as the teams primary catchers and possibly 2025 if the Braves choose to exercise the club option.
It is not just the production Travis provides on the field but the relationship with every pitcher as well as the respected veteran presence in the clubhouse that Atlanta has fell in love with. It’s an exciting day for Braves fans as d’Arnaud is one of the most popular guys on the team. Here’s to many more d’Arnaud doubt home runs in the year(s) to come.