Braves extend Snitker through 2025
ATLANTA — Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, coming off the team’s fifth consecutive NL East title, signed a contract extension on Friday that runs through the 2025 season.
Snitker, 67, guided the Braves to the 2021 World Series championship before the team won 101 games last season.
Snitker said Friday he is excited about the future of the Braves, who have locked up many core players to long-term deals despite losing shortstop Dansby Swanson and first baseman Freddie Freeman as free agents in back-to-back offseasons.
Snitker applauded the work of general manager Alex Anthopoulos in signing newly acquired catcher Sean Murphy and others to long-term deals.
“We’ve done a good job,” Snitker said at the Braves Fest for fans at Truist Park. “I think now you’re going to see the core group of these guys here every year for this thing. I think that’s what Alex does, keeping those young, quality guys around.”
Aguilar reaches deal with A’s
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics and slugger Jesús Aguilar agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract Friday.
The 32-year-old Aguilar batted .235 with 16 homers, 51 RBIs and a .661 OPS in 129 games for the Marlins and Orioles last season. He was leading the Marlins with 15 homers and 49 RBIs but was hitting only .236 when they released him in late August after falling out of NL wild-card contention.
Oakland general manager David Forst expects Aguilar to split time between first and DH while playing every day.
Mauer to enter Twins’ Hall of Fame
MINNEAPOLIS — Joe Mauer will be the next addition to the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame.
Mauer will become the 38th member of the group when he’s inducted on Aug. 5 before the Twins host Arizona, the team announced Friday.
Mauer was the 2009 AL MVP. He won three batting titles — the only AL catcher to do so — and also received three Gold Glove awards.
Rays agree to terms with Fairbanks
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Reliever Pete Fairbanks and the Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a $12 million, three-year contract that could be worth up to $24.6 million over four seasons.
The deal announced Friday includes a club option for 2026 which, along with performance escalators and potential bonuses, could significantly increase the amount the right-hander earns.
The 29-year-old is 11-10 with a 2.98 ERA and 15 saves in 111 appearances, with all but two of the outings coming out of the bullpen since being acquired by the Rays from the Texas Rangers in July 2019.
