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ATLANTA -- Braves third baseman Chris Johnson gets to keep his dream job for another three years. Atlanta was the team he cheered for while growing up in South Florida, and he idolized third baseman Chipper Jones. "In this game, not many times does a team tell a player they want him to be around for a really long time," Johnson said. "Im excited they feel that way about me and have the confidence in me to be around for a little while. Now I just want to work as hard as I can to prove theyre right." After agreeing to a $23.5 million, three-year deal announced Friday, Johnson is under contract through 2017. The 29-year-old was among the teams biggest surprises last season. A supposed throw-in to the Justin Upton trade, Johnson ranked second in the NL with a .321 average. He had 12 homers and 68 RBIs. His agreement continued Atlantas recent trend of signing a core of players to long-term deals. First baseman Freddie Freeman ($135 million over eight years), closer Craig Kimbrel ($42 million over four years), pitcher Julio Teheran ($32.4 million over six years) and shortstop Andrelton Simmons ($58 million over seven years) agreed to long-term deals before or during spring training, and right fielder Jason Heyward struck a $13.3 million, two-year deal. General manager Frank Wren said Johnsons agent approached the team early last month to see whether the sides could work out a new deal. Wren said the Braves arent placing unrealistic expectations on their third baseman. Johnson is off to a slow start, hitting .255 with one homer and four RBIs in 26 games. "I think what we saw last year -- maybe hes not going to hit .320, but weve always felt he was somewhere in the .280-.300 range as a hitter," Wren said. "His career will tell you that." In the first 304 games of his career with Houston and Arizona, Johnson hit .276 and averaged eight homers and 43 RBIs. "I think as we go forward," Wren said, "thats the kind of player he can be -- somewhere in that .285-.300 range -- and hit 10-15 home runs, drive in 70 and play solid third base." Johnson was part of the trade that brought Upton, a slugging left fielder, to Atlanta and sent fan favourite Martin Prado, pitcher Randall Delgado and three minor leaguers to Arizona on Jan. 24 last year. "Theres not many people that are going to be traded with him that arent going to be the other guy, " Johnson said. "But Im fine with that. Its good because it doesnt bother me really to be the other guy. It kind of gave me the fire to prove I need to be here and was not just a name in the trade." Johnson is making $4.75 million this season under a one-year deal. The agreement includes salaries of $6 million next year, $7.5 million in 2016 and $9 million in 2017. Atlanta has a $10 million option for 2018 with a $1 million buyout. Wren is grateful that Liberty Media, the Braves owner, has committed the money to keep another part of the core group together as the team prepares to move into a new ballpark in suburban Cobb County in 2017. "You have to be careful," Wren said. "You have to have that combination of players and especially what we did all winter was looking at really high level young talent that was either pre-arbitration or first-year arbitration and extending them. It fits into that mould." Johnson, who would have been eligible for free agency after the 2016 season, met Jones was he played for Stetson and Jones father Larry was an assistant coach with the school. Johnson never imagined he would replace Jones the year after the longtime Braves star retired after the 2012 season. "Its nuts," he said. "Its crazy. I cant believe it. Its awesome, but Im going to try to make sure I keep grinding and keep working and try to get better every day." Matthew Slater Jersey . Reimer told TSNs Mark Masters on Tuesday that he doesnt know if he will be moved leading up to the March 5 trade deadline but added he wasnt interested in discussing it. "Who knows whats going to happen on the horizon here and right now I dont know if I want to talk about it too much. James Harrison Jersey . - Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II says the NFL has told the team it will not be docked a pick in this years draft for coach Mike Tomlins foray onto the field against Baltimore last November. http://www.officialnewenglandpatriotsfoo...y-jersey-womens. -- For one night, Nick Calathes provided a big reason to believe the Memphis Grizzlies might be able to withstand the loss of Mike Conley on a short-term basis. Jonathan Jones Jersey . This is an exercise I have undertaken a few times, starting in 2009, and hope that Ive refined my approach a little bit in that time to help paint a better picture. Troy Niklas Jersey . The two were in the batting cage moments before game time. Bautista was taking final warm up cuts. Pillar was hitting soft toss. The one-time utility player turned All-Star pulled aside the clubs young, fourth outfielder and offered him some advice.Lucas Leiva says Liverpool can win the Premier League title this season, but admits there is plenty of work still to do. Jurgen Klopps men have spent the international break sitting top of the table, one point ahead of Chelsea and two ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price They rounded off their rise to the summit with a 6-1 thrashing of Watford at the start of the month, with Lucas starting at centre-back in place of the ill Dejan Lovren. The victory at Anfield saw Liverpool extend their unbeaten run to 12 games, and Lucas believes the Reds can win the Premier League title, but he is not counting on lifting the trophy just yet after previous experiences. Yes I think we can with the title. We have had very good results and playing against some very hard teams and weve showed that if we perform the way we are at this moment, we believe we can win the title, he told Soccer Saturday. Lucas believes Liverpool can win the Premier League title this season But it is a very early stage. I have been top of the league in other years at this stage around Christmas time and ended up not winning so we have to go game by game and it is a long season.There are times that we will be struggling as every team does and we will have to be able to cope with that, still collect as many points as we can and see where it will take us by May. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed Adam Lallana has had a scan on a groin injury and is not sure if he will be fit to play former club Southampton Of course we know where we are at this moment but it is something we dont really talk too much about. It is great to be there but there are still a lot of games to be played and we want to end up there.Watford was a very good result and performance. Ive been involved in other good games that we probably didnt win 6-1 but 2-1 or 3-1. I remember a few games last year as well where we had a very good performance. Watch highlights from Liverpools 6-1 win against Watford The momentum is very good, the performances have been very good so we still have a lot to improve. Thats positive because if we can be top of the league and still have a lot to improve, then thats a good sign of what we are trying to do everyday in training.Lucas is now in his 10th season with Liverpool, having joined the club in July 2007, and thinks the current side is one of the best he has been involved in while he believes his work ethic has kept him at Anfield for so long. Premier League questions Will the Reds maintain their impressive start on the South Coast? I think it is a very strong squad.dddddddddddd. It is almost hard to compare because the teams are different, the mangers are different, he added.I can see this team now doesnt rely on only one player. Thats what has been the big factor for me. Having been in and around for many years and watching players, I think this team is becoming a very strong team, it doesnt rely on one or two players. Lucas has played under five managers in his 10 years at Anfield, including current boss Jurgen Klopp We had individual players who are doing very well at this moment but goals are coming from everywhere and results have been good so thats probably the point I would make about this team but it is very hard to say. It is probably one of the best, yes. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says the club must create an atmosphere in which none of their star players, like Philippe Coutinho, want to leave. I think of all the critics I have, I probably have something good to offer here. Liverpool is a club where I love playing, I enjoy every minute. I know it wont be forever, so I just try to give my best all the time.Thats why Ive probably been here, playing under five mangers and thats how I have been doing over the last 10 years. There have been moments that have been very hard, very down and frustrating but you have to keep working and try to help as much as you can and thats what I try to do. Southampton manager Claude Puel believes Liverpool are one of the contenders for the Premier League this season. Next up for Lucas and Liverpool is a trip to Southampton on Saturday afternoon, where the title credentials of Klopps side will once again be put to the test. Lucas has made six appearances for Liverpool so far this season Every away game, you say these kind of games are difficult but you have to get the three points like it was against Crystal Palace and all the teams so its another hard one, Lucas said.Southampton always have very good teams and good players, some of the players are here with us now which shows how strong they can be. They probably havent had the results they wanted in the last few games but they are a very good side and it will be another big test for us.If we can get through that, it will be another sign that we are ready to challenge for everything.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! 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