Atlanta Braves: What do recent contracts mean for us?

In the last few days Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado have both signed huge  deals.  They were record breaking and surprising due to dramatic changes in the market over the last two off-seasons.  Harper is next.  My question: how does this affect the Atlanta Braves?

Late last Summer, I wrote about how if the Atlanta Braves were not to sign any big name free agent this winter, I would – if I were running things – at least try my best to get a couple extensions handled with the kids.

I still feel the same obviously and maybe one or two could still happen early?

We have all heard about how the players aren’t getting paid anymore and how the free agent landscape has dramatically changed – and it has – but the big time players are still getting paid and paid more than ever actually.  It’s the middle and lower tier of players who are seeing their stock take a hit.

So let’s get down to the part where this could have a affect on the Braves. No doubt the players we all probably want to see extended are Ronald Acuna and Freddie Freeman.

If Acuna keeps producing like we all expect him too, he will be in the same pay class as the Arenado’s, Machado’s… and soon to be Trout’s and Harper’s of the world.

Yes, we are talking about many years down the road, but I would try everything in the world to get him locked up for a long while and especially before the cost of superstars rise even more in the upcoming years.

On the other hand, Freeman’s situation could be a need that is a little more pressing. I don’t know if many people truly realize that Freddie is only signed for 3 more seasons. Yes, that is still a good ways to go, but… it’s also not.

I’m sure as this will be his only true chance to cash in on his talent fully (depending on how you view the $135 million deal he’s already got), Freddie will be looking for a nice raise on his 2021 salary of $22 million. That would be appropriate when you consider how good Freddie is at all facets of the game.

If the Atlanta Braves truly want both players for the long term, they are going to have to be willing to commit at least $50 million annually to just those 2 players… maybe even closer to $60 million.

Timing is Everything

A couple quick obvious notes. First, the Braves front office will probably want to wait a year or two on Acuna and make sure his game continues to be at such a high standard, but everything on that points to a ‘yes’.

Secondly, it obviously takes two sides at the table and two sides that want to make a deal happen. A gut feeling is Freddie and his camp will talk at any point, but Acuna might prefer waiting a few years to talk. Obviously those are just assumptions on my end, but also logical.

So that’s my take on how the recent contracts could factor in for the future of our Atlanta Braves. Let us know your take down below in the comments.