(Atlanta) The Atlanta Braves have retained the services of the MVP of the last National championship series, Eddie Rosario, granting him a two-year contract worth 18 million US.
Posted yesterday at 7:05 p.m.
The defending World Series champions also added depth to their outfield by signing Alex Dickerson to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract, expected to make $1 million.
The deals were announced the day after first baseman Matt Olson signed long-term for eight years and $168 million. On Tuesday, the Braves also granted 10 million for two years to right-handed pitcher Collin McHugh.
The general manager of the Braves, the Quebecer Alex Anthopoulos, had also mentioned Tuesday that he hoped to have completed his alignment by Friday. He said he expected to make other announcements by then.
Rosario is an important addition to the Braves’ outfield, which is expected to be without star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. for at least the first month of the season. He is still recovering from knee surgery last season. The organization has made it clear that it will not rush the return to play of its young player although he is present at training camp.
Aged 30, Rosario will pocket nine million US for the next two seasons. He agreed to donate 1% of his salary to the Atlanta Braves Foundation. His contract also includes an option year for the Braves in 2024.
He joined the Braves following a trade involving the Cleveland organization, on July 30, 2021. In the playoffs, he proved to be a profitable acquisition by winning the title of MVP of the series of championship with a .560 batting average, three home runs, nine RBIs and six runs scored.
He had an 11-game playoff streak with at least one hit, hitting .383.
In the case of Dickerson, 31, he hit .233 with 13 homers in 111 games for the San Francisco Giants last season.
The Braves traded four of their top 20 prospects, including outfielder Cristian Pache and receiver Shea Langeliers, to the Oakland Athletics for Olson on Monday after it became clear the star first baseman Freddie Freeman would not sign a new deal. The Braves also let go of pitchers Ryan Cusick, a 2021 first-round pick, and Joey Estes.