Kurt Suzuki won’t be returning to the Atlanta Braves in 2019. The free agent catcher will reportedly be sticking around the NL East however after agreeing to a two-year deal with the Washington Nationals according to a report by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Breaking: Kurt Suzuki has agreed to a two-year deal with the Nationals.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 19, 2018
Per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Suzuki’s deal is worth $10 million.
Kurt Suzuki deal with #Nationals is two years, $10M, sources say - $4M in 2019, $6M in 2020. Agreement first reported by @Feinsand.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 19, 2018
The Braves inked Tyler Flowers to a contract extension in August but are looking for upgrades this offseason. Suzuki just turned 35 and Atlanta was most likely reluctant to discuss a multi-year deal. Suzuki joined the Braves in 2017 and exceeded expectations hitting .276/.341/.485 with 31 home runs in 186 games over the last two seasons. The Flowers/Suzuki tandem has been one of the most cost effective duos in the league over that span.
Atlanta has been rumored to have interest in acquiring Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto but that may not be likely. They have also been linked to free agent catcher Wilson Ramos who ended last season with the Phillies.