Braves sign Will Smith to 3-year, $39M deal
The Atlanta Braves have signed left-hander Will Smith to a three-year, $39-million contract with a 2023 club option for $13 million.
Smith, a native of Georgia, will make $13 million in 2020, 2021, and 2022, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports. The contract also includes a $1-million buyout for 2023.
The Braves will lose their second-highest 2020 draft pick and forfeit $500,000 in international bonus money by signing Smith, according to MLB Pipeline. The 30-year-old reliever was attached to draft-pick compensation after rejecting the San Francisco Giants' $17.8-million qualifying offer before Thursday's 5 p.m. ET deadline.
Smith was going to accept the Giants' qualifying offer if he didn't get a good multi-year deal, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
"My time in San Fran is something I'll take with me forever," he said, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle.
"Playing at home will be nice because I'll be able to spend more time with family," he added. "I grew up watching the Braves with my dad so it's a special time."
The All-Star closer accrued 34 saves with a 2.76 ERA and an outstanding 13.2 K/9 rate for the Giants in 2019.
Atlanta is still planning to use right-hander Mark Melancon - who's under contract through the 2020 campaign - as its primary closer, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic.
The Braves' bullpen finished 21st in WAR last season.