Atlanta Braves Sign Kurt Suzuki to 1-Year Extension
By John Le
For 2018, the Atlanta Braves will continue to stick with one of this season’s best MLB catching duo.
Some awesome news for today as the Atlanta Braves have signed Kurt Suzuki to a 1 year, $3.5 million extension for the 2018 season.
After having a career year offensively, many thought Suzuki was going to enter the market for a starting role with another team or at least for more money.
Source: #Braves sign Suzuki to 1-year, $3.5M extension. Part-time catcher made it clear he wanted to stay; talks had gone on for weeks.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 23, 2017
However as Ken Rosenthal stated, Suzuki wanted to stay with the Braves and I’m all for it. The 33-year old catcher was a great clubhouse guy who was also a professional and humble person. He was there whenever the Braves needed him.
Along with Tyler Flowers, the catching position became one of the bright spots for Atlanta in 2017. Heading into this season, there were questions about how much production could come from the Flowers-Suzuki platoon. Questions regarding especially if Flower’s strong 2016 was just a fluke, but he kept it up while Suzuki had a career year in homers.
With Tyler Flowers' 2018 option, #Braves will be paying just $7.5M for a 4.4-WAR catcher platoon (3rd-best in MLB) https://t.co/DSs5JZ2l0a
— Zach Dillard (@Zach_Dillard) September 23, 2017
#Braves have a new one-year, $3.5M deal with Suzuki, who had a career-high 18 homers this season while starting less than half the games.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 23, 2017
"Like they say - age is just a number. I feel great right now"@KelsWingert catches up w/ @Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki after 2-homer night pic.twitter.com/oUFT2PQyUC
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 23, 2017
Suzuki will turn 34 next month but like he says, he feels great and if he feels great, I’m happy with him coming back. Also not to mention, $3.5M isn’t bad either.
Suzuki has started in 66 games so far this season and has a .271 BA over 72 total games. In that time span, including his 18 home runs, Suzuki has hit 47 RBIs.
Together as a platoon, he and Flowers hit for a combined 94 RBIs with a .277 combined average
This will also give time for the Braves’ catching prospects such as Alex Jackson, Kade Scivicque and even the other guys in the lower levels.
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The Braves are expected to announce the deal later today