The Atlanta Braves‘ front office has been busy this offseason. They have inked out lucrative contracts left and right, and it’s been in areas of dire need, after 2025 wasn’t so kind to Atlanta. Among the many names the Braves have signed (Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Ha-Seong Kim), deciding to bring on outfielder Mike Yastrzemski might end up being the most beneficial for many reasons.
GM Alex Anthopoulos went out and signed Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year, $23 million contract on Dec. 10, which includes a club-option for 2028. This deal is significant because it drastically helps with outfield depth and gives the Braves a lot of flexibility with how they will use the DH spot. Marcell Ozuna is still a free agent, and no decision has been made on where he will play in 2026.
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Mike Yastrzemski’s Deal Tabbed ‘Sneaky-Good’
According to Bleacher Report writer Zachary D. Rymer, the Braves’ bringing Mike Yastrzemski to the team on a $23 million deal is one of eight “sneaky-good” signings across MLB to this point in free agency:
“Things got weird for the entire Braves offense over the last two seasons, but that doesn’t excuse how little they’ve gotten out of left field. The position posted a .655 OPS across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, tied for the second-lowest mark in the league. Jurickson Profar did class things up a bit in the latter half of 2025, but he’s now slated to fill Marcell Ozuna’s empty shoes in the DH spot.”
GettyMike Yastrzemski watches his solo home run during a Giants game against the Padres on April 30, 2025.
In 2025, Yastrzemski hit .233 with 17 home runs in 146 games with both the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals.
2026 will be his Yastrzemski’s eighth MLB season, and his career totals to this point are:
.238 AVG, 123 HR, 162 doubles, 113 OPS+, 329 BB’s, .324 OBP
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What Will Yastrzemski’s Role With the Braves Be?
The Braves have outfield spots locked up pretty much at all three spots. Ronald Acuña Jr. will play right, Michael Harris II in center, and now Yastrzemski/Jurickson Profar in left.
But another thing that makes this a solid pickup is because of the DH slot. Atlanta still doesn’t know where Marcell Ozuna will end up, and it’s looking like it won’t be in a Braves uniform.
Catcher Sean Murphy is also set to miss the start of the season, dealing with a hip injury, which would leave the Braves vulnerable in at least one spot in the order if they hadn’t signed Mike Yastrzemski.
It’s been a good offseason for Braves Country, but these signings will have to translate to the diamond in 2026 to ultimately make the deals worth it.
On top of Yastrzemski’s contract, the Braves inked a $45 million deal to Robert Suarez, locked up Ha-Seong Kim for one year, $20 million, and also retained Raisel Iglesias on a one-year, $16 million contract.
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