Braves extend manager Gonzalez, coaches through 2016
The Atlanta Braves announced Friday that they have extended the contract of manager Fredi Gonzalez through the 2016 season, with a club option for the 2017 season.
In addition, the team announced the extension of each member of the Major League coaching staff through 2016, also with a Club option for 2017.
In a news release, the Braves state Gonzalez, 51, has led the team to the fourth-best winning percentage in the National League since joining the Braves in October 2010. In his four-and-a-half seasons as Atlanta’s skipper the Braves have gone 400-337 (.543). Atlanta averaged 93 wins per season over his first three campaigns (2011-13) before a 79-83 (.488) finish in 2014 and a 42-47 (.472) mark so far this season.
The announcement comes prior to the Braves opening the unofficial second half of the season Friday night at Turner Field against the Chicago Cubs.
The Braves are in 3rd place in the National League East, 7 games behind Washington and 2 games behind the New York Mets, and 6 games behind for the final National League wildcard spot.
Gonzalez has led the Braves to two postseason appearances, including the National League East division title in 2013 (96-66, .593). Now in his ninth Major League season, Gonzalez owns a career record of 676-616 (.523). He previously managed the Florida Marlins from 2007 to 2010.
The 2016 season will mark the 15th campaign for first-base coach Terry Pendleton, the 11th for pitching coach Roger McDowell, the 10th for bullpen coach Eddie Perez and the sixth for bench coach Carlos Tosca. Next season will mark the second for hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, third-base coach Bo Porter and assistant hitting coach Jose Castro, all of whom joined the Braves staff for the first time in 2015.