Atlanta picked up Ozzie Albies’ $7M option, a “no-brainer” move that cost them only $3M. But with no buyout on his 2027 option, the pressure is on for him to perform.
ATLANTA — Going into the offseason, the Atlanta Braves had to make an immediate decision on the “incredibly team-friendly” contract of Ozzie Albies.
While this decision seemed like a “no-brainer” in past years, Albies’ mediocre 2025 season, coupled with a string of injuries, gave some fans cause for concern.
Thankfully for the Braves faithful, the organization did the “practical, sensible thing.” It was confirmed this week that the Braves have picked up the $7 million club option for their 28-year-old second baseman for the 2026 season.
At least for now, Ozzie Albies stays with the Braves.
A “No-Brainer” Financial Decision
The 2019 contract extension Albies signed has been a massive bargain for Atlanta. While he hasn’t been a perennial superstar, the second baseman has accumulated a stellar 16.4 fWAR (Wins Above Replacement) since 2019, all while being paid just $30.4 million.
The 2025 season was the final guaranteed year of that deal. The 2026 club option was worth $7 million, but it came with a $4 million buyout. This meant the Braves only had to pay an additional $3 million to keep him, making it highly unlikely they could find a replacement for cheaper than that $3 million net cost.
Why 2026 is a “Prove-It” Year
The decision to retain Albies was easy, but his long-term future in Atlanta is suddenly in question.
In the last two seasons, Albies has trended from an All-Star level player to a “slightly below-average hitter with below-average defense.” His 2025 offensive struggles were likely due to lingering wrist pain from an injury suffered in 2024.
Then, in a “cruel twist of fate,” just as he was heating up in the second half, Albies’ 2025 season was prematurely ended in late September when he fractured his hamate bone on a swing.
This injury history, combined with his declining performance, makes 2026 a critical audition for the soon-to-be 29-year-old.
Albies’ $7 million club option for the 2027 season does not include a buyout like his 2026 option did. This means if Albies repeats his 2025 struggles, the Braves have “nothing to lose” by declining the 2027 option and can use the full $7 million to find a replacement.
If Albies doesn’t play well in 2026, it would be his third mediocre season in a row, and it’s likely that the ridiculously team-friendly deal he signed in 2019 would be the only long-term deal of his career.
