Braves Ponder Ozzie Albies Contract As Seven-Year Extension Expires

When Ozzie Albies agreed to a seven-year, $35 million contract extension on April 11, 2019, the Atlanta Braves received widespread credit for keeping a big star at relatively little cost – at least in the world of baseball contracts that seem to be spiraling toward the financial stratosphere.

League’s Shortest Player

A little guy with a big bat, Albies is the shortest man in the National League at 5’7″, as he is generously listed on Baseball Reference. But his stats loom larger, as he’s one of a handful of middle infielders to produce multiple 30-homer, 100-rbi campaigns.

The switch-hitting second baseman has won two Silver Sluggers, made the All-Star team twice, and even collected a few votes for Most Valuable Player.

Plus he’s provided veteran advice to the younger Ronald Acuna, Jr., who became his best friend even though they hail from two different countries (Venezuela and Curacao, respectively). Thanks in part to Albies taking Acuna under his wing, the latter won the 2023 MVP award by unanimous vote after becoming baseball’s first 40/70 player (that many home runs and steals in a season).

The Albies contract has $7 million club options for both 2026 and 2027 but this is its final guaranteed season. And it’s time for the Braves to keep him or trade him.

The pact provides a $4 million buyout to the player in the Braves don’t wish to renew it, though that is not likely. The affable Albies, who speaks four languages,

No longer the Wizard of Ozzie, his range, defense, and arm strength have all declined in recent seasons. Plus the Braves have potential replacements in rookie Nacho Alvarez, Jr., currently rehabbing a wrist injury, and Eli White, a fleet jack-of-all-trades filling in as the Atlanta right-fielder until Acuna returns from rehabbing a torn ACL.

Injuries Interfere

Neither is likely to supply Albies-type power, however. The one-time shortstop enjoyed career peaks with 33 home runs and 109 runs batted in as recently as 2023 but has battled injuries since, with a broken toe and a broken wrist idling him for big chunks of time.

Though he’s hit under .250 since the start of 2024, Albies would have trade value to any team needing a slugging switch-hitter. He could even serve as a designated hitter for any club already satisfied with its incumbent second baseman.

Typically, Albies has more power batting left-handed but hits for a better average right-handed.

Whether the team would risk disrupting the Albies-Acuna clubhouse chemistry is another matter.

Often overshadowed by his own teammates, Albies was one of eight Braves selected for the 2023 All-Star Game in Seattle. He has never hit .300 but did lead the National League with 189 hits in 2019, when he hit a career-best .295 in his second major-league season in the majors.

A penchant for swinging at the first pitch, chasing balls well outside the strike zone, and making risky head-first dives on the basepaths have prevented him from capitalizing on his potential. But he’s still just 28 and could have his best years ahead of him if he stays healthy.