October 23, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) — All-Star third baseman Austin Riley and the Atlanta Braves agreed Monday to a $212 million, 10-year contract that starts in 2023, the most lucrative deal in team history and a surprise given he had three additional seasons under club control.
The deal with the 25-year-old is Major League Baseball's 25th for $200 million or more. It includes a $20 million club option for 2033 with no buyout, which could make the agreement worth $232 million over 11 seasons.
Riley hit .423 with 11 homers, 25 RBIs, and 21 runs in July. His 26 extra-base hits in July were the most by a Braves player in any month, passing Hall of Famer Hank Aaron's previous record set in July 1961.
The big month left Riley leading the majors with 61 extra-base hits.
Riley capped the memorable month by delivering the winning double in the ninth inning of Sunday's 1-0 win over Arizona, driving in Matt Olson to cap a three-game sweep.
Riley is hitting .301, began Monday fourth in the majors with 29 home runs, and has 68 RBIs and a .964 OPS in 101 games.
The deal provides long-term security for Riley while giving the Braves the ability to count on the slugger remaining a fixture in the middle of their lineup for at least a decade.
Additionally, the defending World Series champion Braves acquired veteran corner outfielder Robbie Grossman in a trade with the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitcher Kris Anglin
The 32-year-old Grossman, who is making $5 million this year and can become a free agent after the season, has struggled for the out-of-contention Tigers with a .205 batting average, 13 doubles, two home runs, and 23 RBIs in 83 games. The switch-hitter has started 43 games in left field and 31 games in right.
Last year, Grossman set career highs in his Tigers debut with 23 home runs and 156 games played. He was also second in the AL with 98 walks and has a .348 career on-base percentage.
The Braves also re-acquired infielder Ehire Adrianza from the Washington Nationals in exchange for a minor league outfielder.
The Braves cleared a spot for Adrianza when veteran Robinson Canó was designated for assignment after hitting .154 in nine games.
As the Braves await the return of second baseman Ozzie Albies from a broken left foot, which is expected by late August, Adrianza provides depth behind Orlando Arcia.
The Nationals acquired outfielder Trey Harris, who hit .238 for Double-A Mississippi this season.
Adrianza, 32, hit .179 in 31 games for the Nationals this season. The native of Venezuela helped Atlanta win the World Series last season when he hit .247 with five homers and 28 RBI in 109 games.
