The Atlanta Braves continue to pace all of baseball in the value they get out of early career contract extensions
In many respects, the Atlanta Braves are baseball’s envy.
Many clubs still look up to the Atlanta Braves because of their ballpark situation (The Battery Atlanta is the new standard for mixed-use development surrounding a stadium) and consistent success.
On Monday, the news emerged that Bobby Witt Jr., the shortstop for the Kansas City Royals, had signed the richest contract in the team’s history—an eleven-year deal worth a guaranteed $288.8 million—reminding us of yet another reason why the Braves are a model franchise.
Furthermore, there are a few reasons to be even more appreciative of Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves’ contract-related actions in light of the new agreement.
The amount of money that Bobby Witt is earning over the course of eleven years from Kansas City—roughly $289 million, or $26.25 million on average annually—is far more than what Braves players have signed for.
And let’s not misunderstand the article’s main argument: Bobby Witt Jr. is an excellent player. Batting, he earned that money.Last season, he finished with a slash line of 276/.319/.495 with 30 home runs and 49 stolen bases, marking his second consecutive season with at least 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases.
However, $26.25M AAV ranks as the 24th-highest annual contract in baseball history, even accounting for club options and escalators. The contract will become fourteen years and $377.7 million if the three-year club option is exercised till the end of the term.
Once more, it’s difficult to argue that Witt doesn’t deserve to be compensated like a superstar because only four other players in baseball have hit thirty home runs or more while striking out less often than Witt (17.4%).
However, two of those players—Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr.—are affiliated with the Braves.
Additionally, even when their wages are combined, those two Atlanta players make a lot less money than Witt.
Acuña, who signed a $100 million contract, is making $17 million this season. Ozzie inked a $35 million seven-year contract and is making $7 million this season. The aggregate salary of the two players is $2.25 million less than Witt’s AAV.
Actually, no Braves player’s deal is currently slated to pay more than $22 million in any given season. Josh Donaldson earned $23 million in 2019; according to reports, the Braves offered Aaron Nola $27 million AAV before he left for the Philadelphia Phillies. Atlanta has granted players contracts that are greater than that.
Avoiding the player-friendly contract structure is what the Braves have done.
Witt’s contract has four straight player opt-outs, from 2031 through 2034, which is an intriguing element. After any of those seasons, he can choose to become a free agent. It’s a seven-year, $148.7 million contract, and Witt becomes a free agent at age thirty if he exercises the first opt-out.
Among all the contracts Atlanta has signed—and there are many—none have an opt-out clause. All of the current contracts have at least one club option year at the conclusion, wherein the club retains the only options. This year’s compensation is the same as it was during the contract’s peak.