Braves exercise options on Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. celebrates with teammates after scoring off an RBI single by Mauricio Dubón during the first inning of Game 2 of a National League Division Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

ATLANTA (AP) — Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.'s $17 million option was exercised Thursday by the Atlanta Braves, who exercised a $7 million option on second baseman Ozzie Albies.

Acuña, a five-time All-Star and the 2023 NL MVP, agreed in 2019 to a $100 million, eight-year contract that included the 2027 option, which had a $10 million buyout, and a $17 million option for 2028, which has no buyout.

Albies agreed in 2019 to $35 million, seven-year contract that included $7 million options for 2026 and 2027 that raised the value to $45 million over nine seasons.

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Braves exercise options on Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies

Posted Thursday, October 29, 2026 6:48 pm

ATLANTA (AP) — Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.'s $17 million option was exercised Thursday by the Atlanta Braves, who exercised a $7 million option on second baseman Ozzie Albies.

Albies agreed in 2019 to $35 million, seven-year contract that included $7 million options for 2026 and 2027 that raised the value to $45 million over nine seasons.

Acuña hit .255 with 20 homers, 55 RBIs and 21 stolen bases this year. A strained left hamstring sidelined the 28-year-old between May 2 and 19, and between June 10 and July 27.

Albies, a 29-year-old four-time All-Star, batted a career-low .237 with 22 homers and 73 RBIs. He was among seven players who appeared in all 162 of his team's games.

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