ATLANTA -- Travis d'Arnaud may have seen his role reduced this season, but the Braves still recognize him as one of the most important members of their club.
d’Arnaud and the Braves agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract for the 2024 season. The deal includes a one-year, $8 million option -- with no buyout -- for 2025.
“He’s really the glue for us, in my mind,” Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said. “He’s just so key. Obviously on the field, he’s fantastic. What he does behind the plate is fantastic. But it’s everything he brings. I just can’t say enough about him as a person. It was a no-brainer to keep him here.”
Anthopoulos mentioned the possibility of this deal while talking to d'Arnaud on Monday and finished it Tuesday. There was a strong mutual desire to extend the relationship.
"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 just thankful they were thinking the same about me and wanted me to stay."
When the Braves traded for All-Star catcher Sean Murphy this past offseason, the assumption was d’Arnaud could see a little less time behind the plate but continue to get regular at-bats as the designated hitter.
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."