Braves Decline Club Option On Travis d'Arnaud

Atlanta Opts To Explore A Deeper Look At Internal Backstop Options

Move Signals A Shift In Team Philosophy, Focus On Youthful Development

The Atlanta Braves have declined their club option on catcher Travis d'Arnaud, making him a free agent. The decision comes as a surprise to many, as d'Arnaud had a solid season in 2022, batting .262 with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs. However, the Braves have a number of young catchers in their system, including William Contreras and Shea Langeliers, and they are likely to give them a chance to compete for the starting job in 2023. The decision to decline d'Arnaud's option is a sign that the Braves are shifting their focus to developing their own players. In recent years, the Braves have traded away a number of veteran players in favor of younger, cheaper options. This move is in line with that philosophy, as d'Arnaud is 33 years old and will be entering his 10th MLB season in 2023. The Braves have a number of options at catcher, both internally and externally. Internally, Contreras and Langeliers are the most likely candidates to replace d'Arnaud. Contreras is a 25-year-old switch-hitter who has shown some promise at the plate, but he has also struggled with injuries and inconsistencies behind the plate. Langeliers, 25, is a right-handed hitter who has been one of the Braves' top prospects for the past few years. He is considered a good defender and has shown some power at the plate, hitting 22 home runs in Triple-A in 2022. The Braves could also look to sign a free agent catcher, such as Christian Vazquez or Gary Sanchez. However, both of those players are expected to command a high salary, and the Braves may be reluctant to spend that much money on a catcher. The decision to decline d'Arnaud's option is a significant one for the Braves. It signals a shift in team philosophy, and it could have a major impact on the team's performance in 2023.