Reds sign Barnhart to 4-year contract worth $16M

The Cincinnati Reds locked up their starting catcher Friday, signing Tucker Barnhart to a four-year contract with a club option for the 2022 season.

The deal, which includes a $1.75-million signing bonus and $500,000 buyout, is worth $16 million.

Barnhart will earn $4 million next year, $2.5 million in 2019, $3.5 million in 2020, and $3.75 million in 2021, with the club option being worth $7.5 million. A press conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET.

"Tucker has made us proud on the field with his play and off the field with his community involvement," general manager and president of baseball operations Dick Williams said in a statement.

"He worked his way up through our system, improving every step of the way, and has established himself as an elite defensive catcher and a productive offensive player. Switch-hitting catchers who can impact the game defensively are tough to find."

In 113 games this season, Barnhart has hit .272/.349/.399 and combined to a career-high 1.9 WAR. He's been one of baseball's best defensive catchers in 2017. Entering Friday, he has performed to 22 defensive runs saved and thrown out 31 would-be baserunners.