The Braves announced they had picked up their options on Ronald Acuna Jr. And Ozzie Albies. Acuña will make $17 million next season, while Albies will match this year’s $7 million salary. These are Atlanta’s only decisions this year.
There wasn’t much suspense in these two decisions. The Braves weren’t going to cut either member of their core for what would have been a $7 million savings. Acuña’s option came with a $10 million buyout, meaning he would only have been bought out if he suffered some sort of career-altering injury. Albies’ deal did not include a buyout, but came with a base salary similar to that of solid infielders (e.g. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Willi Castro) become free agents.
The Braves have Acuña up to team control for two seasons, as there is another $17 million option on his contract for the 2028 campaign. This one doesn’t have a buyout, so it would be a more expensive move, but it’s still very likely to be exercised. Acuña hit 20 home runs with a .255/.345/.451 slash line in a relatively down year. He’s one season removed from a monster .290/.417/.518 mark after returning from the second torn ACL of his career.
This will be the final season of the $35 million extension Albies signed early in his career. Atlanta made $10 million by picking up two club options along the way — a $4 million buyout on his first option was already factored into that $35 million guarantee — so he earned a total of $45 million over a nine-year span. Albies has far surpassed those salaries, although he has been more useful than great since the start of the 2024 season.
MLBTR took a closer look at Albies’ recent production last night. He’s coming off an ugly ending that dropped his season batting line to a pedestrian .237/.293/.392 clip – his second straight below-average year offensively. Albies is still connected on 22 homers and reportedly beat out a $7 million guarantee on the open market, so it’s easy to pick up the option, but the Braves could consider trade possibilities if they view second base as a place for an offensive upgrade. This is complicated by the league’s most glaring need at shortstop, where they will need to re-sign. Mauricio Dubon and/or act on the commercial front.
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