Since Alex Anthopoulos became the Braves’ general manager, Atlanta has become known for its savvy in-house extensions. This offseason likely won’t be an exception, with several Braves players potentially in line for new deals. Here’s a look at some of the top extension candidates.
Spencer Schwellenbach
Based on Anthopoulos’s previous moves, Spencer Schwellenbach stands out as the most obvious candidate. The Braves have shown a willingness to extend players after just one strong season, and Schwellenbach’s 2024 campaign was stellar, with a 3.35 ERA and a 3.29 FIP over 123.2 innings. Known for his impressive pitch arsenal and poise under pressure, he’s exactly the type of talent the Braves should want to lock down long-term.
However, there’s one big factor working against an early extension: the risk of injuries, especially with young pitchers. The Braves have had rough experiences with promising arms—Michael Soroka, Ian Anderson, and Kyle Wright all saw their careers derailed by injuries. Even Spencer Strider, the lone pitcher Anthopoulos extended, missed most of the 2024 season with a torn UCL. Given this history, the Braves might hesitate to make a long-term commitment to Schwellenbach after only one season.
Ozzie Albies
While not necessarily a player on everyone’s radar for an extension, Ozzie Albies is approaching a key moment in his contract timeline. Albies has one more year under his current deal, with club options for 2026 and 2027. The Braves will almost certainly pick up these options, but if they’re interested in keeping Albies in Atlanta for his entire career, it may be time to work out a new deal.
Injuries have been a factor for Albies as well, but as a position player, he’s generally a safer bet than pitchers. When healthy, he’s one of the best second basemen in the league and is known as the heart of the Braves clubhouse. Albies has expressed his love for Atlanta and has never made money his top priority, so an extension could provide him with some financial security while allowing the Braves to retain a franchise cornerstone.
Travis d’Arnaud
On the smaller side of the extension scale, Travis d’Arnaud has received annual $8 million deals from the Braves, and his 2024 performance suggests he’s earned another. He brings valuable intangibles to the clubhouse and is a steady presence behind the plate. However, with top prospect Drake Baldwin showing promise in the minors, the Braves might hesitate to commit to another deal for d’Arnaud as they look to the future at catcher.
Marcell Ozuna
If the Braves feel confident that Ronald Acuña Jr. will return to the outfield full-time, Marcell Ozuna might be in line for a short extension similar to those given to d’Arnaud and Charlie Morton. Such a deal could guarantee his 2025 salary while adding a club option for 2026. However, given his performance over the past two seasons, Ozuna might prefer to test free agency, where he could potentially secure a multi-year contract.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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