The Atlanta Braves opened up their pocketbooks last night when they signed rookie outfielder Michael Harris II to an eight-year, $72 million contract extension.
Harris is less than three months into his big-league career, but has provided a nice little spark for the Braves, hitting .287 with 12 home runs and 39 RBI.
The Georgia native will be staying in Atlanta long-term, and he becomes the latest member of the Braves to receive a massive contract extension, as the deal will last through the 2030 season.
Jeff Passan of ESPN tweeted a list of all the Braves key players and how long they’re under contract for.
Harris will be sticking around for a while with a good chunk of the Braves core.
How to keep a core together, by the @Braves.
– Austin Riley, through 2032
– Matt Olson, 2030
– Michael Harris II, 2030
– Ronald Acuña Jr., 2028
– Vaughn Grissom, 2028
– Ozzie Albies, 2027
– Spencer Strider, 2027
– William Contreras, 2027
– Kyle Wright, 2026
– Max Fried, 2024— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 17, 2022
Locking Up The Core
This is how you keep your core together.
Alex Anthopoulos has struck again.
Austin Riley was the most recent member of the Braves to sign a contract extension.
That deal was worth 10 years and $212 million and will keep him around through the 2032 season.
Players like Ronald Acuna Jr. Matt Olson, William Contreras, Spencer Strider, Ozzie Albies, and Vaughn Grissom will all be around for a good chunk of time.
Grissom and Acuna are signed through 2028.
Harris and Olson are both signed through 2030.
For the time being, the key members of the Braves’ core are not going anywhere.
Harris’ extension includes a $15 million club option for 2031 with a $5 million buyout and a $20 million club option for 2032, also with a $5 million buyout.
With the Braves’ core locked up, people around baseball can expect the Braves to be in postseason contention for the foreseeable future.
The defending champions sit just 3.5 games back of the New York Mets in the NL East and look prepared for another deep October run.
NEXT: Braves Remind Fans That Vaughn Grissom Is Here To Stay