Braves ink extension for d’Arnaud: “He’s really the glue for us”

Atlanta Despite having a smaller role this season, Travis d’Arnaud is still regarded as one of the most crucial players on the Braves.

For the 2024 season, d’Arnaud and the Braves reached an agreement on a one-year, $8 million deal. A one-year, $8 million option for 2025 is included in the deal; there is no buyout clause.

According to Braves President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos, “he’s really the glue for us.” “He’s simply indispensable. He’s obviously excellent on the field. His work behind the plate is amazing. But he brings everything with him. I have so much to say about him personally. It made perfect sense to keep him here.

Talking with d’Arnaud on Monday, Anthopoulos brought up the possibility of this deal, which he completed on Tuesday. Both parties had a great desire to keep the relationship going.

“I’m really excited,” d’Arnaud said. “I definitely didn’t want to leave. This is something I’ve been thinking about all year. I’m simply grateful they were thinking the same about me and wanted me to stay.”

There was an expectation that d’Arnaud would see a bit less time behind the plate but still receive regular at-bats as the designated hitter when the Braves acquired All-Star catcher Sean Murphy this past winter.
That plan changed in early April when d’Arnaud missed a month after the fourth concussion of his career. As he neared a return in early May, Marcell Ozuna got hot and remained in the DH role. Still, d’Arnaud has continued to produce both on and off the field. The free-agent exits of Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson might have enhanced his leadership role, but d’Arnaud was regarded as one of the team’s top leaders before either of them left.

“This deal was finalized about five minutes before the game began,” Anthopoulos said. “I can only imagine as word circulates around the clubhouse and on the bench how excited guys are going to be. I can guarantee you there will be a ton of smiles. This guy is beloved and rightfully so.” d’Arnaud joined the Braves in 2020 and immediately made an impact. He produced a .919 OPS and helped Atlanta finish one win shy of winning the National League pennant. The Braves won the 2021 World Series after enjoying a late-season run that was fueled by d’Arnaud’s return from a thumb injury that sidelined him three months.

d’Arnaud earned his first All-Star selection last year as he posted a .791 OPS. He showed his character last offseason by welcoming the arrival of Murphy, who has further established himself as one of the game’s top catchers during his first season in Atlanta. The Braves will have at least one more season with both Murphy and d’Arnaud attempting to prove they are indeed baseball’s best catching duo. “I love me some Travvy,” Braves third baseman Austin Riley said. “He’s just a great human being through and through. Him and Murph behind the dish, that combo right there, to me, you can’t beat it.”