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The Atlanta Braves acquired catcher Sean Murphy earlier this month in a trade with the Oakland Athletics, and they made a move Tuesday to ensure the 2021 Gold Glove winner won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
The Braves announced that they reached an agreement with Murphy on a six-year, $73 million contract extension through the 2028 season.
Murphy’s new deal also includes a $15 million club option with no buyout for the 2029 season, brining the total value of his contract to $88 million over seven years.
Entering his fifth MLB season in 2023, Murphy had spent his entire career in Oakland since making his major league debut in 2019. He appeared in a career-high 148 games last season and hit .250/.332/.426 with 18 home runs and 66 RBI. His 5.1 fWAR was a career best and trailed Philadelphia Phillies star J.T Realmuto for highest in the majors.
Among primary catchers in the American League, Murphy ranked first in RBI, hits (134), doubles (37) and total bases (229). His 18 homers and 67 runs scored ranked second.
The arrival of the 28-year-old Murphy means 10-year veteran Travis d’Arnaud will be relegated to a backup role. He’s spent the last three years in Atlanta and will be entering the final year of his contract next season.
Murphy’s deal adds him to the list of Braves core players to be rewarded with new contracts. Per Simon Hampton of MLB Trade Rumors, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II have all been given long-term extensions while under club control.
Murphy will look to help the 2021 World Series champs make another deep postseason run next year.