Contract option decisions play a huge role in determining how a team's offseason will go. Recently, it has often been the player's decision to make as many free agents prioritize getting opt-outs in their contracts. However, the Atlanta Braves have been able to avoid that trend, only handing out standard contracts or deals with club options attached.
Last season, Atlanta had tough decisions to make on Tyler Kinley, Ozzie Albies, Chris Sale, and Pierce Johnson. The upcoming offseason does not present the same challenges for Atlanta, but it does bring in some long-term questions regarding two of the franchise's most important players over the past eight years.
Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies are the players in reference here, as each have club options that need to be exercised following the conclusion of the 2026 season. Acuña Jr.'s club option is for $17 million, and Albies' club option is set at $7 million. Both decisions seem straightforward, but they are great reminders that the future is not very clear with either player.
Ronald puts another on the board!#HyundaiHighlight pic.twitter.com/4rGesGNGRr
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 30, 2026
Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies will have their options exercised, but long-term questions remain unsolved
The 2027 season will feature Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. on the same roster for what could be the final time. Unless the Braves extend Ozzie before next season, the second baseman is set to hit free agency in 2028. Entering what would be his age 31 season, Albies would be a free agent for the first time in his career.
If the season ended today, Albies would have produced a sub 100 wRC+ and sub 1.7 fWAR in three consecutive seasons. Albies is a starting second baseman in this league, but it's unclear whether or not the Braves will view that position as a potential upgrade 14 months from now. With rising infield prospects like Tate Southisene, Alex Lodise, and John Gil, we may not get any indication of Atlanta's stance anytime soon.
Meanwhile, Ronald Acuña Jr. will reach the first non-guaranteed year of his contract in 2027. At $17 million, the decision to pick up will be an easy one for Alex Anthopoulos. However, Acuña has only one additional season of team control beyond 2027, so once next season gets underway, the noise gets really loud to get an extension done.
Durability concerns will bring out a mob of fans who say Acuña is not worth committing to long-term, but whether it's the Braves or someone else, Acuña's MVP upside is going to get him paid handsomely. His talent is so high that investing in him feels like the right move, but no one knows how the Braves feel about keeping Acuña around beyond 2028. This upcoming offseason, the contract decisions are easy, but the Braves will not be as lucky in future winters.
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