Braves Announce Roster Moves: Who’s In, Who’s Out

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00:00Braves announce roster moves, who's in, who's out.

00:04The Atlanta Braves continue to fine-tune their roster, and Thursday's moves provided a clear

00:08look into strategy for the 2026 season and beyond.

00:12Atlanta exercised its $7 million option on Ozzie Albies while declining team options

00:18on relievers Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley, a blend of financial discipline and forward

00:23planning.

00:24At just 28 years old, Albies will enter the final year of one of the most team-friendly

00:29deals in Major League Baseball, a nine-year, $45 million contract signed in 2019.

00:35His 2026 salary is set at $7 million, a modest number against the rising cost of infield

00:41talent.

00:42Yes, his .240 batting average in 2025 marked a career low, but the power remains intact

00:49with 16 home runs and 74 RBIs.

00:53For a player who contributes on both sides of the ball and serves as a key emotional core

00:58of the clubhouse, he remains an invaluable asset at a bargain price.

01:02Atlanta chose not to bring back Pierce Johnson, opting for financial flexibility and perhaps

01:07a renewed focus on internal arms or free agency.

01:11Johnson posted a 3.05 ERA in 65 appearances and will receive a $250,000 buyout instead of

01:19a $7 million salary.

01:20His two-year stint in Atlanta ends with a decent showing, 59 strikeouts and 59 innings, but not

01:27enough to justify the cost at age 34.

01:30Acquired at the trade deadline from the Rockies, Tyler Kinley was a revelation down the stretch,

01:35posting a stunning 0.72 ERA in 24 games for the Braves.

01:40Despite that performance, his full-season ERA of 3.96 and the $5 million price tag for 2026

01:47didn't make the cut.

01:49Instead, the Braves will pay a $750,000 buyout and move on.

01:55Notably, Kinley's 2023 return from flexor tendon surgery was part of a three-year, $6.25 million

02:03agreement with Colorado, a deal that gave Atlanta both a short-term boost and long-term outs.

02:09The message is clear.

02:11Atlanta is willing to pay for performance, but only within a framework that maintains

02:15payroll flexibility.

02:17With stars like Albies locked in at below market prices, the Braves remain in a strong

02:22position to build sustainably while competing at the highest level.