August 20, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (20) in the dugout once morest the Houston Astros in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Braves have virtually their entire hard core locked in very team-friendly contracts. They’re set to be competitive for a long time thanks to this, but there are still a few players who have awful contracts that might impact that. Who in the team is stealing money because of a bad contract?
The Atlanta Braves have done an incredible job of building and maintaining a hard core that has already won a World Series. Ronald Acuna Jr, Ozzie Albies, Spencer Strider, Michael Harris, Austin Riley, Matt Olson and even newcomer Sean Murphy have extended their contracts which is truly remarkable.
The Braves look set to be competitive for the next half-decade or more and it’s thanks to these high-value contracts. Unfortunately, Alex Anthopoulos has made a few signings which he probably regrets at the moment.
Which players, due to bad contracts, are essentially stealing money from the Braves?
1. Marcell Ozuna’s contract was a disaster for the Braves.
Marcell Ozuna had a monstrous year for the Braves in the shortened 2020 season, hitting .336 and leading the league with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs. He appeared in all 60 games and finished sixth in voting for the NL’s Most Valuable Player. That season landed him a four-year, $65 million deal, which includes a club option for the 2025 season.
The Braves have had more trouble than good since signing that contract with Ozuna. He made the news for several reasons off the pitch, including a domestic violence arrest in 2021.
Off-the-pitch problems like this are never good, and to make matters worse, he gave them next to nothing on the pitch. Since signing the deal, he’s gone .222/.278/.397 with 30 home runs and 82 RBI in 172 games. 30 home runs isn’t that bad, but an average of just 15 following 2020, when he had 18 in just 60 games, isn’t great.
To make matters worse, Ozuna has regressed and is an awful defender. It may provide some power but does very little else. Chances are he won’t earn a starting position if he doesn’t play well in the spring. I would be shocked if he lasted until the 2024 season, the last year of his guaranteed contract.
Following : 2. A former post-season hero
