The Atlanta Braves have signed Opening Day starting SS, Orlando Arcia, to a three-year, $7.3 million extension with a club option for 2026, Robert Murray of FanSided reported Thursday morning. Arcia was set to make $1.3 million this season, so it appears the SS is getting a nice raise for this upcoming season.
Shortstop Orlando Arcia and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a three-year, $7.3 million contract that includes a club option for 2026, according to sources familiar with the deal. Arcia gets $2.3 million in 2023, $2 million in 2024 and $2 million in 2025.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) March 30, 2023
Justin Toscano of the AJC confirmed Murray's report.
Breaking Down the Orlando Arcia Extension
Orlando Arcia broke camp as the Opening Day starter, but this contract isn't committing him to the role for the next three seasons. Like his first extension two years ago, this is still a very team-friendly contract.
Maxing out at $2.3 million, Arcia will make just $2 million in 2024 and 2025. There is also a $2 million club option for 2026 with a $1 million buyout.
This will make Arcia $1 million more than his previous contract (he had a $2 million option for 2024) and net him at least an additional $3 million in 2025 and 2026.
The Braves acquired Arcia from the Brewers back in 2021 for Patrick Weigel and Chad Sobotka and played 32 games for the big league club, spending most of the season in Gwinnett.
In 2022, Arcia opened the season as the backup infielder and played sparingly up until 2B Ozzie Albies broke his foot.
He took over the starting 2B position after Albies injury and played up until injuring his hamstring in August.
Arcia came back in September and eventually stole the 2B position back from Vaughn Grissom after Albies went down again for a second time.
Orlando Arcia hit .244/.316/.416 last season in 234 PAs, good for a 104 wRC+. This season, he will start as the everyday SS, but even if he eventually loses the starting role, his contract is perfectly suitable for a bench player through 2025.