ATLANTA ( Associated Press) – Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, who is coming off the team’s fifth consecutive division title, signed a contract extension Friday through the 2025 season.
Pilot, 67, guided the Braves to a championship in the 2021 World Series. A year later, the club added 101 wins and again won the pennant in the East Division of the National League.
However, they were eliminated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Division Series.
Snitker said Saturday he was upbeat about the future of the Braves, who have signed several top players to long-term deals despite losing shortstop Dansby Swanson and first baseman Freddy Freeman to free agents in consecutive years.
The manager lauded general manager Alex Anthopoulos’ work in recently signing catcher Sean Murphy and other players to long-term contracts.
“We did a good job,” Snitker said during a fan celebration at Trist Park. “I think you’re going to see a core group of these guys here every year now. That’s what Alex does, keep these quality young guys here.”
Murphy signed a $73 million, six-year deal after being acquired from Oakland. He will share the position with Travis d’Arnaud.
The Braves have also signed sluggers Austin Riley and Matt Olson as well as rookies Michael Harris II and Spencer Strider to long-term deals over the past year.
Atlanta reached similar contracts with Venezuelan outfielder Ronald Acuña and Curaçao second baseman Ozzie Albies. The club has seven key players under contract for at least three more seasons, and options could extend them.
Von Grisson is expected to compete with Orlando Arcia for the shortstop job in the preseason.
The sneaker would remain on top for at least three more seasons. He will be entering his 47th year with the organization and his seventh full season as manager of the Braves.
He took over as interim driver on May 17, 2016, before taking up the position permanently later that year.
He is 542-451 with Atlanta after amassing over 1,300 minor league wins.
