The Braves’ habit of locking up young talent early used to look like a masterstroke. Now, a few of those deals are turning into real headaches, and the list gets more uncomfortable when you look past 2026.
Some of the damage comes from injuries. Some of it comes from performance.
And in one case, it’s a suspension that’s made the situation even uglier. Here are the five worst Braves contracts that will still be hanging around after the 2026 season.
Jurickson Profar sits near the top of the list for reasons that go well beyond baseball. His second straight PED ban was a massive gutpunch for his teammates, and it wiped out any chance Braves fans had of embracing him again.
Atlanta wasn’t responsible for his salary this season, which made it surprising to some that the team didn’t add more at the trade deadline. But there’s a big call coming before 2027, because Profar would be owed $15 million if he stays.
Spencer Strider looked like the ace Braves fans had been waiting for when he signed his six-year, $75 million deal in 2022. Since then, injuries have kept chipping away at that promise.
His stuff hasn’t been the same since last season’s UCL brace procedure, and now he’s dealing with more elbow concerns. He’s set to be owed $22 million over the next two years, and there’s also a $22 million club option in 2029 with a $5 million buyout.
Austin Riley’s deal is the biggest one on the books, and it has become harder to love as his production has dipped over the last two seasons. Back in 2022, the Braves handed him a 10-year, $212 million contract, which looked like a bargain at the time given the way he was hitting.
He’s still owed $22 million per season through 2032, and the contract includes a $22 million club option for 2033 with no buyout. There is at least a small positive sign: over his last seven games, he’s hit .304 with two homers and five RBI.
Atlanta needs that version of Riley back in a hurry.
Sean Murphy has followed a similar path to Strider. The early returns were strong, but injuries and uneven offense have made the contract harder to stomach.
He has two years left worth $15 million, plus a $15 million club option in 2029. Murphy still brings value with his game-calling behind the plate, but the bat has to come around if this deal isn’t going to age badly during Alex Anthopoulos’ run.
Then there’s Yaz, who flashed early before slumping hard over the last couple of months. The Braves may have to decide whether he even sticks around beyond this season.
With so many talented outfield prospects in the pipeline, the team may not want to keep paying the $10 million owed to Yaz in 2027. And the contract gets trickier from there, thanks to a $7 million club option in 2029 with a $4 million buyout.
At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising if Atlanta moves on from him at least after next season.
In Other News...
Jorge Mateos Next Step Could Say Plenty About The Braves
Jorge Mateos next move is the kind of low-profile roster decision that can still say plenty about how clubs are trying to survive the stretch run. After his release by Atlanta, the utility man has drawn interest from teams looking for a little more flexibility on the bench, with his ability to bounce around the diamond making him the sort of depth piece that can become useful in a hurry if injuries or late-season lineup juggling start to pile up.
For the Braves, Mateos market is a reminder of how much value there can be in players who can cover shortstop, second base and the outfield without much warning. The White Sox have already shown interest, and Tampa Bay is also among the teams said to be in the mix, which suggests his next stop may come down to which club sees the most immediate need for a versatile spare part as the season tightens. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Rotation Suddenly Has A Good Problem Fans Did Not Expect
The Braves rotation has taken on an unexpectedly stable look at a time when injury issues might have made things much messier. Martn Prez kept the good stretch going in the recent win over the Mets, running his scoreless innings streak to 18 and giving Atlanta another steady turn while the offense did its part, with Matt Olson matching the MLB home run lead at 35.
There are still reasons for the Braves to keep monitoring the pitching depth chart, though. Reynaldo Lpez has begun inching forward after his time on the injured list, and AJ Smith-Shawver is back in the rehab mix at Triple-A Gwinnett, leaving Atlanta with more rotation options than it seemed likely to have not long ago. The larger question now is how soon those arms can be folded back into a staff that suddenly looks more crowded than compromised. [Read more 🡒]