Braves sign Kurt Suzuki to 1-year, $3.5 million extension

The Braves have signed catcher Kurt Suzuki to a one-year contract extension worth $3.5 million. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal first reported the deal’s completion on Saturday, while MLB.com’s Mark Bowman first reported that a deal was close.

Suzuki, 33, has bounced back in a major way while splitting time behind the plate with Tyler Flowers this season. In 287 plate appearances, the former All-Star has a .271/.343/.525 slash line with a career-high 18 home runs while also grading out as a solid defender.

It’s safe to say the Braves got a solid return on investment after buying low on Suzuki prior to this season. He signed a one-year contract worth $1.5 million on January 30, though he’ll receive playing time incentives; he’s already earned $50,000 for starting 66 games, and he’ll earn another $50,000 if he gets to 70 starts over the Braves’ final 10 games.

In all likelihood, the Braves will stick with the surprisingly productive tandem of Flowers and Suzuki heading into next season. Flowers has a $4 million option for 2018, and Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that Atlanta is likely to pick it up.