Manager Fredi Gonzalez
photo by Tim Evearitt
ATLANTA -- The Braves announced Friday that they have extended manager Fredi Gonzalez's contract through the 2016 season, with a club option for '17.
In addition to Gonzalez's extension, the Braves have extended the other members of their coaching staff through 2016, with a club option for '17.
Gonzalez's contract was set to expire at the end of this season, but since joining Atlanta for the 2011 season, he has consistently been supported by the front office.
In 4 1/2 seasons with the Braves, Gonzalez has managed the team to a 400-337 record (.543 winning percentage), one National League East title (2013) and also reached the '12 NL Wild Card Game.
Gonzalez said that it was nice to have an additional year of security, but that the extension didn't change how he went about managing the Braves.
While talking about Gonzalez's extension, Hart took most of the blame for the poor bullpen -- which has the second-worst ERA in baseball -- the Braves have had this season.
"We didn't give him a bullpen, obviously we traded Craig Kimbrel Opening Day," Hart said. "I think it's been really difficult to manage the bullpen.
"I think Fredi's done as good a job as he can with the bullpen. So I think this is something that all along you look up and you go, 'What do you expect in a manager? What do you want in a manager?' And I think Fredi's demonstrated what we wanted to see."
-- Source: MLB.com
Gonzalez in his normal perch on the steps of the dugout.
photo by Tim Evearitt