Braves sign All-Star reliever Smith to 3-year pact

ATLANTA -- While re-signing Josh Donaldson or acquiring another power hitter might be the Braves’ most pressing need this winter, they have spent the early stage of this offseason focusing on their bullpen, which grew stronger on Thursday with the addition of All-Star closer Will Smith.

The Braves signed Smith, 30, to a three-year, $40 million deal that includes a $13 million option ($1 million buyout) for 2023. This move comes less than a week after another former All-Star reliever Darren O’Day was re-signed to provide the bullpen some middle-inning stability.

Smith converted 34 of 38 save opportunities for the Giants this past year and earned his first All-Star selection. The 30-year-old left-hander posted a 2.76 ERA over 65 1/3 innings (63 appearances) and limited opponents to a .196 batting average.

https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-sign-will-smith-to-three-year-deal