"You have been amazing to me and my family" - Travis d’Arnaud bids heartfelt farewell to Atlanta Braves after $12,000,000 Angels deal
Travis d'Arnaud is no longer a member of the Atlanta Braves, with whom he played for the last five years. The club declined the 35-year-old catcher's option for the 2025 season, making him a free agent.
On Tuesday, he agreed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.d'Arnaud hit .238/.302/.436 with 15 home runs and 48 RBI in 99 games for the Braves in 2024.
His tenure with the Braves brought a spotlight to his resume, with him winning the 2021 World Series and earning his only All-Star selection in 2022. Leaving behind loads of memories, Travis d'Arnaud took to social media, expressing thanks to Braves country, players, coaches and trainers for supporting him through the last five years.
In his heartfelt farewell note, he wrote:
"Atlanta, thank you for everything. Ever since my brother played here, you have been amazing to me and my family. I feel like I was not only part of the team, but part of the city. Thank you to all the fans, the coaches, the staff, and most importantly the players. I made a lot of lifelong friendships and hope for nothing but the best always. Every one of y’all made driving to the field feel like a blessing. I will be forever grateful for everything. World Champs for life!"
Travis d'Arnaud already bonding with new Angels teammate
Just upon signing with the LA Angels, Travis d'Arnaud made sure to reach out to Logan O'Hoppe, who will also be the catcher for the ballclub. Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reported that d'Arnaud did so because he didn't want it to be a surprise for the young catcher who has a lot of potential.
“Travis d'Arnaud said he reached out to Logan O'Hoppe before his signing was announced to make sure it didn't surprise him and to let him know he'll be there for him. ‘I want him to be the greatest Angels catcher of all time,' d'Arnaud said,” Bollinger wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
With Travis d'Arnaud also there, the Angels will still likely have Logan O'Hoppe as their primary catcher. The 24-year-old catcher, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022 in the Brandon Marsh trade, has emerged as a rising star since his debut the same year. Last season, O'Hoppe finished with 20 home runs and a slashline of .244/.303/.409/.712 across 136 games.