Today’s edition of MLB news and notes includes the Atlanta Braves locking up another key piece of the franchise with a contract extension, as well as the Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals each signing some interesting names to minor league deals.
Atlanta Braves news: Brian Snitker signed to contract extension
It looks like Atlanta isn’t just signing key players like Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II to contract extensions. The Braves are also making sure that their manager isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
On Friday, the Braves announced that manager Brian Snitker has been inked to a contract extension through the 2025 season. Entering his seventh full season as the skipper of the Braves, Snitker has guided Atlanta to five consecutive National League East titles.
The #Braves today signed manager Brian Snitker to a contract extension through the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/m0KJImKiNx
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) January 27, 2023
MLB news: Alex Colomé signed by Washington Nationals to minor league deal
Coming off a disappointing season with the Colorado Rockies, the 34-year-old Colomé will be going to spring training with the Nationals looking to land a spot on his fourth team in the past four seasons.
Nationals announce that they’ve signed reliever Alex Colomé to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. They’ve long been interested in him, including advanced trade discussions with the White Sox at the 2019 deadline (of course those ultimately fell through).
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) January 27, 2023
After the Rockies chose to hold on to him at the MLB trade deadline rather than deal him away, Colomé posted an 18.78 ERA over his final 12 appearances (7.2 innings) in Colorado. Of the 15 hits the reliever surrendered during that time, five were for home runs.
Texas Rangers news: Trio of minor league signings bring interest
Among the names who will be coming to camp with the Rangers are three players with MLB experience who could potentially provide key depth for the team down the line.
The Rangers today announced that the club has agreed to terms with the following five players on minor league contracts with invitations to Major League Spring Training:
— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) January 27, 2023
-LHP Danny Duffy
-OF Clint Frazier
-OF Travis Jankowski
-RHP Ian Kennedy
-RHP Reyes Moronta
Because of injuries, Duffy hasn’t pitched in an MLB game since July 16, 2021, as a member of the Kansas City Royals. Coming to Texas on this deal is a bit of a reunion for Duffy, who played under current Texas special advisor Dayton Moore when he was the general manager in Kansas City.
Frazier played in just 19 games for the Chicago Cubs last season, slashing just .216/.356/.297 in 45 plate appearances. He also struggled at Triple-A Iowa, striking out 34.7 percent of the time in 66 games. However, the Rangers hope to find the answer to the recent struggles for the 28-year-old Frazier, who was the fifth overall pick by Cleveland in the 2013 MLB draft.
The 31-year-old Jankowski got in just 64 plate appearances last season (63 with the New York Mets and one with the Seattle Mariners) but has shown the ability to play solid defense in the outfield, meaning he could be a depth piece there if he can stick on the roster after spring training.