The Atlanta Braves have been quick to reward their young talent after they perform well at the big league level. It's been a rewarding structure for the most part and led the Braves to winning the World Series in 2021. Unfortunately, there has been a great deal of injury and underperformance associated with these early contract extensions. Past critics have argued that this is the Braves taking advantage of young players.
However, Atlanta understood the risk it took in offering deals to young players like Spencer Strider, Austin Riley, Ronald Acuña Jr., and others. Things can snowball in a real hurry and become a poor decision.
Riley is the biggest commitment that the Braves made with a 10-year, $212 million contract extension in 2022. This made for the most lucrative contract in franchise history. It looked like a great deal as Riley became one of the best hitters on the team. He has unfortunately dealt with injuries and underperformance a lot over the last two years and Riley just hasn't been able to get back on the right track. Riley is under contract until 2032 with an option for 2033.
Strider signed a six-year, $75 million contract ahead of the 2023 season. He was great, but then the injury bug hit him hard, and he's not been the same since. He is now earning $20 million in 2026, increasing to $22 million in 2027 and 2028.
These two examples have given rise to a bit of anxiety for the future of superstar outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. , along with possibly Drake Baldwin while we are at it. Acuña has been arguably the best player in baseball when he's healthy. The issue has been his health, with two knee injuries interrupting his great career.
Braves' previous extensions falling short may make it less like they extend Ronald Acuña Jr. (or anyone else
Acuña Jr. has dealt with two separate IL stints due to his hamstring this season. It's very disheartening. Should things continue this way and , it may be hard for the Braves to offer him an extension. He is technically in his final year with the team right now. However, he has club options for 2027 and 2028 worth $17 million. There's no way the team doesn't pick up those options. Getting a player of his caliber for under $20 million is wonderful.
That cost will rise dramatically once he reaches free agency in 2029. If he continues to struggle with injuries, it would be tough to stomach giving out a massive long-term contract to him. Especially when he has underperformed a bit to start this season. It's not the place AA and company had hoped to be in with their star player.
Unfortunately, a certain amount of hesitance may extend beyond and Acuña Jr. to others in very different situation. Other than his recent oblique injury, Baldwin has looked like a slam dunk extension candidate. However, the Braves have thought that before and look at where it got them in some of these cases. It may not be a fair comparison, but that doesn't mean that it won't cross Atlanta's mind.
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