The Atlanta Braves have been unexpectedly quiet this offseason. While their roster doesn’t require many improvements, they haven’t been involved in discussions to sign any major players.
Starting pitcher Max Fried has already moved from Atlanta to the New York Yankees, and veteran Charlie Morton is likely to follow. While the Braves could still re-sign Morton, it seems unlikely. The situation next offseason could be even more challenging.
Zachary Rotman of FanSided predicts that the Braves may part ways with star designated hitter before the 2026 season. He is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, and Spotrac forecasts that he will sign a four-year, $77 million contract.
Ozuna, who is 34 years old, has now become a designated hitter only. If he performs similarly to last season or anywhere near that level, it’s almost certain the Braves won’t be willing to pay him what he’s likely to receive on the open market (and it’s hard to fault them for that). As Rotman points out, this is the same organization that saw key players like Freddie Freeman, Max Fried, and Dansby Swanson leave via free agency. Alex Anthopoulos is expected to find a more affordable (and possibly better) option, as he has done in the past, rather than paying Ozuna close to market value given his age and inability to play in the field.
It seems unlikely the Braves will commit $25 million annually to an aging designated hitter, regardless of his contributions to the team. While other teams may be willing to meet Ozuna’s salary demands, Atlanta won’t be one of them.
As Rotman suggests, it’s reasonable to expect that 2025 will be Ozuna’s final season with the Braves.
Leave a Reply