Braves Ponder Albies Contract As Seven-Year Extension Will Expire
Acrobatic Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies provides surprising power for a little guy. (Photo by ... More) Getty Images
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.
A little guy with a big bat, Albies is the shortest man in the National League at 5'7" tall, 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.
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.
Ozzie Albies has produced a pair of 30-homer, 100-rbi seasons. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Getty Images
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Last Night in Baseball: Tarik Skubal dominates, Tigers now 20 games over .500
There is always baseball happening — almost too much baseball for one person to handle themselves. That's why we're here to help, though, by sifting through the previous days' games, and figuring out what you missed, but shouldn't have. Here are all the best moments from last night in Major League Baseball: Skubal [gasp] walked a batter, but it didn't matter Here's a fun thing about Tigers' ace and last year's Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal: he's very efficient. Ridiculously so! He actually hadn't even walked a batter since May 20, going 23.1 innings in between free passes, but on Thursday he surrendered one. And then a second one later on! You would think this might have resulted in some chaos, but no. Skubal went seven innings on 98 pitches, 74 of them thrown for strikes, scattered three hits and those two other baserunners, and the Tigers defeated the Orioles, 4-1. Skubal's strong showing lowered his ERA to 1.99 – the one run Detroit allowed wasn't his – which is all the more impressive for two reasons: his adjusted ERA numbers are just as good as that, and he's also leading the American League in innings, at 90.1. He's had plenty of opportunities to show he's not quite this good, basically, but it turns out that he is. Skubal is also leading the AL in strikeouts after leading the majors a year ago, and his current ERA is 0.4 runs per nine lower than last year's AL-leading, Cy Young-winning mark. He's not the only reason that the Tigers now find themselves 20 games over .500 on the season, with a record of 45-25, but it's difficult to pinpoint someone who has contributed more to that cause. He is, after all, leading the majors in pitcher wins above replacement, just as he did a year ago, and it's Detroit's rotation that is their true strength. The lineup is good and all, but Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, and Reese Olson have made for a hell of a group to this point. Misiorowski's spotless debut interrupted The Milwaukee Brewers called up their top pitching prospect, Jacob Misiorowski, to start Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. And he did nothing to dispel the hype. The 6-foot-7 flamethrower, who is responsible for throwing a 103 mph pitch as a starter last month in the minors, threw over 100-mph on his first three pitches, and met or exceeded that mark 14 total times in his debut. He did it with great command, too, as he hadn't allowed a hit through his first five innings. But then, while facing the first batter of the six inning, the Cardinals' Victor Scott II, Misiorowski through an errant pitch well out of the zone and seemed shaky stepping off the mound. Trouble increased as he retreated to the mound and twisted his right ankle. It was a complete fluke, and seemingly not a major injury according to the Brewers themselves, but it spelled the end of his sublime first MLB start, at least. The Rangers dropped 16 on the Twins, again The Texas Rangers rank fourth-worst in MLB in runs scored this season, but on Thursday, they had one of their most potent offensive nights of the season to beat the the Minnesota Twins 16-3. Yes, they scored 16 runs against Minnesota, again, just like on Tuesday. While the previous effort was the most team-wide one possible with every starter picking up at least one hit and most of them actually getting two – further emphasized by Texas hitting two homers accounting for just three of their runs – Thursday was different. This was a homer-centric beatdown, with the Rangers going yard six times against Twins' pitching. Josh Smith kicked things off in more ways than one with a home run to lead off the game. Jake Burger would hit his own solo shot in the second, while Wyatt Langford would hit a three-run blast the same inning. Evan Carter added another solo homer in the fifth, Adolis Garcia a three-run dinger in the eighth, and finally, pinch-hitter Sam Haggerty – the lone player with an at-bat in Tuesday's game to not record a hit – went deep in the ninth for the Rangers' third three-run long ball of the day. The Rangers took two out of three from Minnesota, and outscored them 34-13 in the process. As a team, they're hitting .331/.410/.620 with nine homers and 17 extra-base hits in 139 plate appearances at Target Field this season. Twins fans might want to know that the next time these two face each other, it will be in Arlington, and not until September. This time the Rockies came back The Colorado Rockies entered Thursday with a 12-55 record, in the unenviable position where every loss could set a new worst-through-that-many-games mark in MLB's modern era. They were facing the San Francisco Giants for the fourth time this week, and trying to avoid a sweep. The Rockies found themselves already trailing 7-2 in the fifth inning. They battled back, however, scoring three runs across the sixth and seventh, but eventually were down to their last out. Trailing 7-6 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Orlando Arcia came through with a two-run single to score Thairo Estrada and Ryan McMahon. After blowing consecutive late-inning leads to the Giants in the previous two games, this time it was Colorado with the come-from-behind victory. A tale of two defenses Sometimes it's good to give you the detailed rundown. And sometimes it's enough to just see a couple of highlights sitting in opposition. This pair of plays from Thursday's Yankees-Royals finale is in the latter camp. Here's an impressive play from New York… …and whatever this was from Kansas City. Baseball is truly a land of contrasts. Yankees won the game (1-0) on that play, and the series (3-0). Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
How former Tony Vitello era Vols performed in MLB debuts
How former Tony Vitello era Vols performed in MLB debuts Former Vol Christian Moore is scheduled to be in uniform for the Angels on Friday after he was promoted to Major League Baseball. Moore played for Tennessee from 2022-24, winning one national championship, two SEC Tournament titles and two SEC regular-season championships. He will become the tenth former Vol from the Tony Vitello era (2018-present) to reach MLB. He will join the following: Garrett Crochet (2020), Chase Silseth (2022), Ben Joyce (2023), Andre Lipcius (2023), Trey Lipscomb (2024), Jordan Beck (2024), Seth Halvorsen (2024), Chase Dollander (2025) and Blade Tidwell (2025). Below are how former Vols fared, who played for Vitello, in their MLB debuts. PHOTOS: Tony Vitello through the years How former Tony Vitello era Vols performed in MLB debuts Garrett Crochet Crochet debuted for the White Sox on Sept. 18, 2020 at Cincinnati. He pitched one inning in relief and recorded two strikeouts. Crochet totaled 13 pitches, including nine strikes, against three batters. He did not allow a hit, run or walk against the Reds. Cincinnati defeated Chicago, 7-1. Chase Silseth Silseth was the second former Vol to play for Vitello to debut in MLB. His debut was with the Angels on May 13, 2022 at Oakland. He started and pitched six innings, earning a win, in the Angels', 2-0, victory. Silseth totaled four strikeouts and 81 pitches (52 strikes) against 20 batters. The former Vol allowed one hit, two walks and zero runs. He was the first player from the 2021 draft to debut in MLB. Ben Joyce Joyce also debuted with the Angels. His first MLB appearance was on May 29, 2023 at the White Sox. Joyce pitched one inning in relief and earned a hold in Los Angeles', 6-4, win. He totaled two strikeouts and 12 pitches (10 strikes) against four batters, while allowing one hit. Andre Lipcius Lipcius debuted with Detroit on Sept. 1, 2023 at the White Sox. He served as a pinch-hitter for the Tigers in seventh inning. The former Vol went 0-for-2, including one strikeout, and played third base. Detroit defeated Chicago, 4-2. Trey Lipscomb Lipscomb debuted with the Nationals on March 30, 2024 at Cincinnati. He started at third base in Washington's, 7-6, win. Lipscomb went 1-for-4 and hit a single in his first at-bat. He totaled one stolen base and one strikeout in his debut. Jordan Beck Beck made his MLB debut April 30, 2024 with Colorado at Miami. He started in left field and went 2-for-4, hitting a single in his first MLB at-bat. The Marlins defeated Colorado, 7-6, in ten innings. Seth Halvorsen Halvorsen also debuted for the Rockies in 2024. He faced one batter (one pitch) in the ninth inning against Baltimore, forcing Gunnar Henderson into a groundout to third base. The Orioles won at Colorado, 5-3, on Aug. 30, 2024. Chase Dollander Dollander debuted for Colorado on April 6 versus the Athletics, earning a win, during the 2025 season. He started and pitched five innings, recording six strikeouts. Dollander totaled 79 pitches, including 49 strikes, against 22 batters in the Rockies', 12-5, home win. The former Vol allowed seven hits, four earned runs and one walk. Blade Tidwell Tidwell started for the Mets and pitched 3.2 innings at St. Louis on May 4 in the 2025 season. He recorded two strikeouts and allowed nine hits, six runs (six earned) and three walks. The former Vol totaled 82 pitches, including 48 strikes, against 23 batters. 14 of Tidwell's strikes were on a first pitch. He also totaled 15 called strikes, seven swinging strikes, nine strikes from foul balls and 16 in-play strikes against the Cardinals. St. Louis defeated New York, 6-5. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Jacob Misiorowski a hot commodity after impressive MLB debut
This week's list of fantasy baseball waiver wire targets includes two sluggers who recently returned from the IL. Keeping track of those who are returning from injury is an underrated pathway to improving a roster, as these players often become forgotten by fantasy managers. And this week's list is highlighted by a rookie starter who could make a massive impact, and a catcher who should be rostered in most leagues. Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets Jacob Misiorowski, SP, Milwaukee Brewers, 50% Misiorowski was dynamite in his MLB debut, tossing five no-hit innings, while regularly reaching triple digits on the radar gun. The 23-year-old is among the best prospects in baseball, thrived in Triple-A this season (2.13 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 11.4 K/9 rate) and could become Milwaukee's best starter in a hurry. Misiorowski in the rotation should be rostered in every league by the end of the weekend. Jack Leiter, SP, Texas Rangers, 43% Leiter has not pitched as well as is indicated by his 3.88 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. After all, his 45:28 K:BB ratio is below average, and he has greatly benefited from a .232 BABIP. So, why is Leiter in this article? Well, despite being due for regression at some point this season, the 25-year-old is the top two-start streamer candidate to grab off the waiver wire next week, when he will face the Royals (28th in runs scored) and the Pirates (29th in runs scored). Grant Holmes, SP/RP, Atlanta Braves, 41% Holmes joins Leiter as the most obvious two-start pitchers to stash for next week. The 29-year-old has been solid-but-unspectacular this year, posting a 4.07 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 77:32 K:BB ratio. He will open next week at home against a Mets team that ranks seventh in runs scored and close it out by facing a weak Marlins offense (24th in runs scored). Managers who wait until Sunday to find streamers will find out that there aren't many to choose from next week. Holmes' RP eligibility makes him especially appealing in points leagues. Advertisement [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Randy Rodriguez, RP, San Francisco Giants, 30% If we omit two starters (Kris Bubic, Drew Rasmussen) who have relief eligibility, Rodriguez has been the eighth most productive fantasy reliever this season. The 25-year-old has the skills to back up his success (0.90 ERA, 0.73 WHIP), which includes a ridiculous 44:5 K:BB ratio. All of Rodriguez's ERA estimators are below 2.00, and he should be streamed in every league with daily roster moves and innings pitched limits. Alejandro Kirk, C, Toronto Blue Jays, 33% Kirk deserves much more fantasy attention after hitting .393 with a .958 OPS since May 1. His successful season is backed up by major skill improvements, which include a reduced 10.1% strikeout rate and an outstanding 92.8 mph average exit velocity. His .312 xBA is among the best in baseball, and although Kirk doesn't provide elite power numbers, his .502 xSLG is significantly higher than his actual mark. Blue Jays manager John Schneider raves about the work that Kirk does defensively, and the skipper has been regularly batting his catcher in the heart of the lineup. Kirk's slow speed will always lead to a poor runs scored total, but the rest of his numbers are quite appealing. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B, Cincinnati Reds, 38% The first base position is far from loaded this year. In fact, there are just two first basemen who have produced more than 10 homers and a batting average over .260. With many teams needing an impact player at the position, Encarnacion-Strand should attract plenty of attention. The 25-year-old has plenty of upside, which he showed as a rookie in 2023 when he hit .270 with 13 home runs in 63 games. He recently returned from nearly two months on the IL and made his presence known right away by hitting .333 with three homers in six games. He's worth a roster spot for those who need a slugger. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics, 25% The roller coaster ride of Kurtz perfectly shows the fickle nature of fantasy managers. The 22-year-old was a hot commodity when he arrived to the Majors on April 23. After all, Kurtz was one of baseball's best prospects and was joining a team with a hitter-friendly home park that had cleared a full-time role for him. Unfortunately, a few weeks later, Kurtz had returned to waivers in most leagues, as he was batting .208 with one homer on May 19. The youngster seemed to find his football on May 20, and he went deep four times over his next five games, briefly regaining the attention of fantasy managers, before he suddenly landed on the IL with a strained hip flexor. Kurtz is back in action, and still has the upside that made him such a big deal when he arrived earlier in the season. Chase Meidroth, 2B/SS, Chicago White Sox, 23% Managers who are looking for a speed source with solid plate skills should add Meidroth right away. The rookie has collected eight steals in 46 games, which puts him on a 28-steal pace over a full season. He is also hitting .287, and his most remarkable accomplishment so far is his lofty 23:24 BB:K ratio. We rarely see youngsters command the strike zone, and Meidroth will receive all the playing time he can handle this week. He also has made appearances at 3B and SS, which offers hope that he will soon be a fantasy option at three spots. Evan Carter, OF, Texas Rangers, 25% Injuries and ineffectiveness have made Carter, who was one of the best stories in baseball down the stretch in 2023, a post-hype sleeper. The youngster returned from the IL on June 3, and in eight games has hit .440 with three homers, two steals and a 1.380 OPS. He needs to show more before he becomes a roster fixture in standard Yahoo formats, but this is the perfect time to give the lefty swinger a chance. The Rangers will spend the weekend facing three manageable right-handed starters and a White Sox bullpen that lacks reliable options.
