Atlanta Braves Extend Ozzie Albies Through at Least 2025 for $35M
By James Kunkle
The Atlanta Braves announced Thursday afternoon that they have agreed to an extension with All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies.
After agreeing last week with Ronald Acuna, the Atlanta Braves now have two young cornerstone players to build around.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was the first to report the news this afternoon. Joel Sherman later had the details of the 7-year deal worth $35 million that also includes two option years for 2026 and 2027.
Told two option years for Albies are $7M each with $4M buyouts. So if both picked up, #Braves get Albies for 9 years, $45M.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) April 11, 2019
Ozzie Albies was already locked up through the 2023 season so this will add at least two years of free agency with the ability to cover four years of free agency.
After having initial success in limited duty late in the 2017 season, Ozzie took a huge step forward in 2018 and made his first All-Star team. All together, Albies hit 40 doubles and 24 home runs.
The first half of 2018 is where Albies was on a tear and had to be in the running for the NL MVP award until the All-Star break as he had 20 HR and a .281 batting average at the break.
The switch-hitting Albies has traditionally fared much better batting right-handed as his average is .335 facing lefties and .231 batting against righties.
The 2019 version of Albies has gotten off to a good start as well in the first few weeks as he is hitting .364 and playing good defense.
Compared to 2018, Albies should have many more RBI chances in 2019 as he is hitting behind Josh Donaldson, Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuna, and Nick Markakis when facing a righty, instead of his 2018 batting spot where he mostly hit second.
If you combine this extension with Acuna’s from last week, the Braves will be paying the duo slightly less than $20 million a year (On Average) for the players prime years, which is less than several other big leaguers, including:
Many Atlanta Braves fan’s and pundits wondered out loud throughout the winter if the Braves didn’t sign any more free agents after Josh Donaldson if they would insert the money into locking up the young core players, which is exactly what they have done now.
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Atlanta Braves fans should be excited that we get to see the great friendship of Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies continue for at least the next seven years. Let us know your feelings on this extension below.