Braves urged to retain $45M 2-time Silver Slugger, veteran 3-time All-Star in his prime

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Braves urged to retain $45M 2-time Silver Slugger, veteran 3-time All-Star in his prime originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves had a solid free agency period, addressing several positions of need within the organization. The offseason also saw Ozzie Albies have his contract option picked up.

“The Braves exercised their option on second baseman Ozzie Albies on Thursday while declining options on pitchers Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley.Atlanta also made official that it was picking up its $18 million team option on left-hander Chris Sale. Albies gets a $7 million salary in 2026 for what will be the last season in a deal worth $45 million over nine years. The 28-year-old hit a career-low .240 with 16 homers and 74 RBIs,” ESPN wrote.

Albies is entering a contract year with Atlanta, and he recently made history in the World Baseball Classic.

“Albies launched the first walk-off home run in World Baseball Classic history, lifting the Netherlands to a 4-3 win over Nicaragua in a pivotal matchup in Pool D at loanDepot park. It was the 10th walk-off win in WBC history, a record fourth by the Netherlands,” MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand wrote.

When Albies is healthy, he is an outstanding player, but durability has been the main concern throughout his career. However, if Albies can stay healthy for an entire season, there is little reason not to bring him back long term.

“It's entirely possible this is wishful thinking. From here, though, it seems like Albies is a guy still in his prime who's just run into one obstacle after another of late that has masked his true skill level. That feels even truer now after his WBC moment, and hopefully this should convince the Braves once and for all that he's not a player worth parting with for no reason,” FanSided’s Chris Landers wrote.

The Braves want Albies to be the best version of himself, but for the past few years, the biggest question has been whether he will be retained once his contract expires. The Braves’ second baseman has been vocal about wanting to spend his entire career in Atlanta.

Albies has a smooth swing and is a strong defensive player, so there is little doubt about his talent. Instead, his injury history has been the main source of concern. Still, the Braves have shown their belief in him by continuing to stick with Albies as a key piece of their roster.

More MLB news:

• Yankees reportedly missed out on $325M 'match-made-in-heaven' MVP, World Series champion​

• Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. takes major shot at Ozzie Albies after Venezuela beats Netherlands​

• Braves predicted to trade Dylan Lee, Didier Fuentes for Yankees' $5.1M phenom with elite bat speed​

• Braves predicted to trade for $5M World Baseball Classic champion with elite plate discipline​

• Braves predicted to part ways with $42M NL Silver Slugger, All-Star before Opening Day​

• Braves reportedly outbid by Rangers for $1M MVP, Gold Glove winner as Jurickson Profar replacement​

• Braves predicted to sign $4M Gold Glove finalist, durable veteran with 149 career home runs​

• Braves urged to sign $5M former MVP, 5-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner to replace Jurickson Profar​

• Braves' Chris Sale delivers honest reaction to Jurickson Profar's 162-game suspension​

• Braves urged to make emergency trade for $100M Gold Glover, Silver Slugger to replace Jurickson Profar​

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