North Gwinnett News

Now that the champagne has dried and the confetti swept away, newly crowned World Series champion Atlanta Braves have begun plotting their title defense with a key free agent signing.

MLB.com reported that the Braves on Nov. 15 signed catcher Manny Piña to a two-year, $8 million contract.

In Piña, Atlanta shores up the battery with a capable understudy for Fall Classic hero Travis d’Arnaud, who himself was awarded a two-year, $16 million extension during the season, MLB.com said.

“Welcome to Braves Country, Manny!” the Braves tweeted on Nov. 15.

Piña comes to Cobb County from the Milwaukee Brewers, for whom he blasted 13 homeruns in over 75 games in 2021, MLB.com reported.

The website added that his 13.85 AB/HR rate was the ninth best in the National League among players with at least 200 plate appearances.

While the right-handed Venezuelan gives Atlanta another game-changing slugger, his main responsibility is to simply beef up a defense that helped maroon 11 Astros players during Game 4 of the World Series late last month.

According to MLB.com, Piña mowed down about 30% of base stealers last season.

Since his 2011 debut with the Kansas City Royals, he has stopped close to 35% of runners attempting to seize the bag against him.

The Braves’ two other catchers are top prospect Shea Langeliers and William Contreras.

Langeliers is honing his game in Atlanta’s farm system in preparation of succeeding d’Arnaud in the future while Contreras has struggled in the backstop, ESPN reported.

The addition of the 34-year-old Piña notwithstanding, the Braves’ main offseason priority is longtime first baseman Freddie Freeman, who has entered free agency.

Negotiations between Freeman and the only team he’s ever played have been unsuccessful up to this point.

World Series MVP Jorge Soler and postseason highlight makers Eddie Rosario and Adam Duvall are also free agents.