Braves Lock Up Another Young Star: Ozzie Albies Signs $35M, 7-Year contract

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Atlanta Braves shortstop Ozzie Albies (1) and Atlanta Braves third base coach Ron Washington (37) smile after Albies doubled and advanced to third on a throwing error by Gorkys Hernández in the seventh inning of a baseball game in San Francisco. / Associated Press

All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a $35 million, seven-year contract, a deal that includes team options for 2026 and '27.

The agreement announced Thursday supersedes a one-year contract signed last month that called for a $575,000 salary in the major leagues — $20,000 above the minimum.

The 22-year-old is hitting .364 with one homer and two RBIs in 11 games this season after batting .261 with. 40 doubles, 24 homers, 72 RBIs, 14 steals and 105 runs last year.

He would have been eligible for arbitration after the 2020 season and for free agency after the 2023 season.

The announcement comes just days after the Braves locked up another young player, Ronald Acuna, Jr., on an eight-year, $100 million deal. 

The outfielder turned in a stellar first season and took home National League Rookie of the Year honors. 

In an era of record breaking contracts and massive deals, the Braves will be keeping each player through a part of their prime for a bargain.

This offseason, three of baseballs biggest names, Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, and Mike Trout, all deals of at least 10 years and $300 million, which was Machado's contract with the San Diego Padres. 

Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies shortly after and Trout topped them all with a 12-year, $426.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels. 

So far this year, both Albies and Acuna have picked up from award winning 2018 campaigns. After losing their first three games, the Braves have won seven of the last eight.