Braves Spend $24 Million to Retain Acuña Jr. and Albies
Atlanta exercised contract options for both players on Thursday, securing their services for the 2027 season and adding another year for the outfielder.
By Josephine Clarke ·
The Atlanta Braves committed $24 million on Thursday by exercising contract options for outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and second baseman Ozzie Albies. The moves keep both stars on the roster for the upcoming season and extend Acuña's tenure with the club through 2028.
Acuña, a five-time All-Star and 2023 National League MVP, triggers a $17 million option for the 2027 campaign. He signed an eight-year, $100 million deal in 2019 that included this first option, which carried a $10 million buyout clause. The team also holds a second option worth $17 million for 2028, a year that does not feature a buyout provision.
Albies activated a $7 million option for 2026. The Curacao native, a four-time All-Star, signed a seven-year, $35 million contract in 2019. That deal contained options for both 2026 and 2027, raising the potential total value to $45 million over nine seasons.
The 28-year-old Acuña hit .255 with 20 home runs, 55 runs batted in, and 21 stolen bases this season. A left hamstring strain sidelined the Venezuelan player from May 2 to May 19 and again from June 10 to July 27.
Albies, 29, posted a career-low .237 average with 22 home runs and 73 runs batted in. He appeared in all 162 regular-season games, a feat shared by only six other players on the Braves roster this year.
Source: Stamford Advocate
