The Atlanta Braves have made significant roster decisions as the offseason approaches. On Thursday, the team announced that it would exercise its option on second baseman Ozzie Albies, while opting to decline options on pitchers Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley. Additionally, the Braves confirmed they would retain left-hander Chris Sale by picking up his $18 million team option for the 2026 season.
Albies, who will earn $7 million in 2026, is concluding a nine-year contract valued at $45 million. The 28-year-old had a challenging season, posting a career-low batting average of .240 alongside 16 home runs and 74 RBIs.
Braves Move Forward with Pitching Changes
In a contrasting move, the Braves decided against keeping Johnson, who will receive a $250,000 buyout instead of his $7 million salary. Johnson’s two-year contract had a total guarantee of $14.25 million. During the 2023 season, the 34-year-old right-hander recorded a 3.05 ERA while earning a 3-3 record across 65 relief appearances, striking out 59 batters in 59 innings.
Kinley, who is set to turn 35 in January, will also depart the Braves after receiving a $750,000 buyout instead of his $5 million salary. Acquired from the Colorado Rockies at the trade deadline, Kinley demonstrated impressive performance with the Braves, going 5-0 with a remarkable 0.72 ERA in 24 games. Overall, he finished the season with a 3.96 ERA across 73 relief appearances.
As the Braves navigate these changes, the focus will shift to how these decisions impact their roster and performance in the upcoming season. The adjustments reflect the team’s strategy as they seek to build on their successes while addressing challenges from the past year.
