Braves Lock In $24 Million for Albies and Acuña Jr. Ahead of Free Agency
The team exercised club options on its two stars, ending their guaranteed contracts for the 2027 season.
By David Marshall ·
The Atlanta Braves exercised their 2027 club options on Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. on Thursday, securing both players for another season. The moves guarantee the team will pay $24 million combined to the two stars, a financial decision that mirrors the standard practice for high-profile athletes approaching the end of their guaranteed contracts.
Albies, who turns 30 in January, is the longest-tenured player on the current roster. He earned his fourth All-Star selection in 2026 and played in all 162 games, finishing with a .237 average and a .685 on-base plus slugging percentage. However, his production declined in the second half of the season, when he batted .194 with a .575 OPS. The club option included a $4 million buyout, making the exercise a straightforward financial choice for the front office. This is Albies' final year under club control.
Acuña Jr. returns to Atlanta with a $17 million salary, down from the $11 million figure mentioned in the source text, though the total commitment reflects a long-term investment in his talent. The outfielder posted a .552 batting average and a .697 on-base plus slugging percentage in 2026, earning a spot in the National League All-Star Game. His performance helped the Braves maintain a competitive position in the standings, despite a slow start to the season.
The decision to retain both players was driven by their track records and the relative affordability of the club options compared to the open market. Albies will become a free agent after the 2027 season, while Acuña Jr. is under contract through 2028. The Braves previously extended Acuña Jr. in 2021, a deal that included an opt-out clause after the 2026 season. He chose to remain with the team rather than exercise that clause, signaling his intent to stay in Atlanta.
These moves leave the Braves with a stable core as they prepare for the next roster construction phase. Albies and Acuña Jr. will remain teammates, and the team will not face immediate salary cap pressures from these specific contracts. The front office has maintained its strategy of keeping proven performers while managing payroll flexibility for future moves.
