Image Credit: CBS Sports
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The prior week in MLB was about a team in the National League signing a catcher to an extension, a team in the American League signing a starting pitcher to a contract, and a pitcher is targeting a return during the middle of the season.
Atlanta Braves Sign Catcher Sean Murphy to Six-Year Extension
The Atlanta Braves will have catcher Sean Murphy with the team for the foreseeable future, as they have signed the catcher to a six-year extension worth $73 million, per a team announcement.
#Braves Sign Sean Murphy: pic.twitter.com/CbuwZ6cMZa
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) December 28, 2022
The extension for Murphy postpones his free agency by at least two years while including a $15-million club option for 2029 with no buyout.
Murphy inked the extension less than one month after the Braves acquired him from the Oakland Athletics in a three-team trade.
The Braves continue a trend of signing key players to long-term deals.
Murphy had a solid 2022 campaign with the Athletics.
The backstop posted a .250 batting average and .759 OPS in 148 games with 67 runs scored, 37 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 134 hits.
He was a stable defender behind the plate, ranking fifth in pop time to second base and sixth in catcher framing runs.
He accrued a 5.1 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), which ranked second in MLB among qualified catchers, behind just Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto.
The Braves have solidified the catcher position for the next several years by acquiring Murphy and signing him to a long-term contract.
Boston Red Sox Sign Starting Pitcher Corey Kluber to One-Year Contract
The Boston Red Sox have signed starting pitcher Corey Kluber to a one-year contract with a team option for the 2024 campaign, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Right-hander Corey Kluber and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year contract with a club option for 2024, sources familiar with the agreement tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 28, 2022
Per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, Kluber will earn $10 million for the 2023 season.
Per major league source, Corey Kluber and the Red Sox have an agreement on a one-year deal with a $10 million guarantee for 2023, with a team option for 2024. Kluber, who lives in Winchester, gets to commute to work.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) December 28, 2022
The team option for Kluber in 2024 depends on the number of games started, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.
Kluber's deal includes hefty bonuses based on games started. 30 starts in 2023 = $12M salary, plus the 2024 club option goes from $11M to $13M.
Kluber started 31 games for the Rays last year. https://t.co/THGJKxpsyY
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 28, 2022
The right-handed pitcher was solid for the Tampa Bay Rays last year.
He posted a 4.34 ERA in 164 innings pitched (31 starts) with 139 strikeouts, 21 walks allowed, 20 home runs yielded, a 1.21 WHIP, and a 3.57 FIP.
The two-time Cy Young winner gives the Red Sox depth and a veteran presence in their starting rotation.
Kluber can be relied upon to start every fifth day, which is a valuable commodity in MLB.
The Red Sox made a smart move by signing Kluber to a contract.
Toronto Blue Jays Starting Pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu Targeting July Return from Tommy John Surgery
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu is targeting a July return from Tommy John surgery, per Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News.
#BlueJays starter Hyun-Jin Ryu says he is right on schedule in his rehab from elbow surgery and is targeting a July return. He underwent Tommy John operation in June. Spent the past month or so in Korea with his family and will now continue his rehab in the U.S. #NextLevel
— Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) December 28, 2022
He underwent the operation in June, and his potential return is within the recovery timeframe.
It typically takes starting pitchers between 12-to-18 months to recover from Tommy John surgery.
Ryu has one season left on his four-year contract with the Blue Jays before the 2020 season.
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- Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.
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