Austin Barnes has become a key member of the Los Angeles Dodgers since he was acquired from the Miami Marlins in 2014, spending parts of eight seasons as both a starting and backup catcher.
The Dodgers rewarded his importance to the club with a two-year contract extension worth $7 million that runs through the 2024 season. The 32-year-old was set to become a free agent after this season.
The deal includes a commitment from Barnes to make charitable contributions, which will likely go to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.
Barnes’ contract extension also includes performance bonuses for games played and a team option for 2025, according to the Associated Press:
Barnes gets $3.5 million in each of the next two seasons, and the Dodgers have a $3.5 million team option for 2025. He can earn up to $500,000 annually in performance bonuses for games: $50,000 each for 65 and 70, $75,000 for 75, $150,000 for 80 and $175,000 for 85.
Barnes has appeared in 31 games for the Dodgers this season, hitting .179 with four homers and 12 RBI. In 26 games behind the plate, he’s thrown out five of the 14 runners (35.7%) attempting to steal. Although he is not known for his offensive ability, Barnes is a highly-regarded defender and considered the Dodgers’ team captain within the clubhouse.
Barnes is currently the third longest-tenured Dodger on the roster, behind Clayton Kershaw and Justin Turner, and if he finishes out his extension, he will have completed 10 seasons with the club.
In his career, Barnes has hit .223 with 28 homers and 124 RBI, including a .992 fielding percentage with a 3.44 catcher ERA in 307 games behind the plate. He was originally selected by the Marlins in the ninth round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Arizona State University and traded to the Dodgers in the deal involving Dee Gordon.
Austin Barnes bobblehead night
Prior to signing a two-year contract extension, a first-ever Austin Barnes bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 24 was included on the Dodgers’ 2022 promotional and giveaways calendar.
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