Atlanta Braves Lock Up Another Star With Long-Term Deal

It's the Atlanta Braves Way. Bring in a new talent, sign him to a long-term deal. And as they usually are, it's a team-friendly contract. For newly-acquired catcher Sean Murphy, he's now locked up for six years.

In signing Sean Murphy, 28, to 6-year, $73M contract w/ 7th-yr $15M option (no buyout), #Braves lock up Gold Glove catcher who's hit 35 homers in past 2 seasons (despite spacious OAK park), buying out 3-4 FA years w/ salary never above $15M. One of baseball's top overall catchers
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) December 28, 2022

It's a $73M deal over those six years, with a 7th-year option at $15M. As noted by Braves beat writer David O'Brien, the deal buys out 3-4 of Murphy's free agent years, and his salary through the deal never tops $15M.

The 28-year-old backstop is a Gold Glover (2021) and this past season had an OPS+ of 120 (20% better than league average) with 18 HR and 66 RBIs. Atlanta traded for the coveted catcher earlier this month from the Oakland A's.

The signing means the Braves will have an incredible group of young stars at nearly every spot in the lineup, for years and years to come.

The Braves have locked up a RIDICULOUS amount of young talent 💰

C Sean Murphy (2028)
1B Matt Olson (2030)
2B Ozzie Albies (2027)
3B Austin Riley (2033)
OF Michael Harris II (2032)
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. (2028)
SP Spencer Strider (2029)

WOW. pic.twitter.com/AN0G2xpeoh
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) December 28, 2022