According to FOX Sports baseball insider Ken Rosenthal, third baseman Chris Johnson has reached terms with the Atlanta Braves on a contract extension.
The 29-year-old infielder, who has a .307 batting average in his tenure with the Braves (167 games through April 30), reportedly gets a deal that buys out two arbitration seasons (2015-16) and one free-agent year (2017).
There may also be an option for 2018, according to a Rosenthal tweet, although it's unclear if that clause must be exercised mutually.
In his brief time with Atlanta (2013-14), Johnson has helped the club transition from the Chipper Jones era, cumulatively racking up 13 homers, 72 RBI and flirting with a National League batting title at the end of last season.
Source: #Braves agree with Chris Johnson to 3-yr extension plus club option. Buys out final 2 yrs of arb, plus 1 and possibly 2 yrs of FA.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 1, 2014
As such, Johnson -- who made his MLB debut with Houston on Sept. 9, 2009 -- has been a versatile asset in the Braves' batting lineup, posting rock-solid numbers anywhere from 2nd to 8th in Atlanta's order.
With his extension reportedly in tow, Johnson (.344 OBP with Atlanta) becomes the sixth Braves player over the last five months to land a new deal.
In no particular order, Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Andrelton Simmons, Craig Kimbrel, Julio Teheran and Johnson have all secured multiyear contracts with the Braves -- the defending NL East champions and current division leader (17-9).
