Dodgers Sign Catcher To Two-Year Extension

His teammates have dubbed him 'The Captain', and now the Los Angeles Dodgers have acknowledged his importance to the team as well, signing 8-year veteran and career Dodger Austin Barnes to a two-year extension.

Catcher Austin Barnes and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a two-year contract extension, according to sources familiar with the situation.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 3, 2022

Barnes, of course, is the backup catcher for LA, behind starter Will Smith. But his clubhouse presence is palpable, and how much he means to the players on the team can be summed up by shortstop Trea Turner. 

“He’s our captain," said Turner. "He led us early in the year, he hit our first homer of the year. He put us on our back early with all those homers. We started to call him captain and it stuck. He hates it so I had these shirts made to make everyone know that he’s our fearless leader, and I remind them every single day."

Barnes isn't known for his offense, with a career .224 mark, but his defense and his intangibles have won him at least two more years in Dodger Blue.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports