ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Atlanta Braves have picked up team options for pitcher Chris Sale and second baseman Ozzie Albies, according to reports.
Braves general manager Alex Anthopolous confirmed the Braves picked up Albies’ option in an interview with 92.9 The Game.
The 29-year-old has been a fixture of the Braves organization since 2017, but had a career-worst year in 2025. He had career lows in batting average (.240), slugging percentage (.365) and OPS+ (89).
Most of that was dragged down by a subpar first half. Albies batted .220 with a 71 wRC+ (weighted runs created plus, which adjusts Runs Created for external factors such as ballpark or era) before the All-Star break, then improved to .272 with a 111 wRC+ afterward.
Despite not playing up to his potential, Albies could still be the best option for the Braves at second base. The other two second basemen currently on the Braves’ depth chart are Nick Allen and Brett Wisely, neither of whom provided the offensive ability that Albies did.
The Braves could look outside to free agents such as Jorge Polanco or Gleyber Torres for help at second base, but both will likely command more money than Albies. Polanco was paid $10.5 million and Torres was paid $15 million in 2025, compared to Albies’ $7 million option.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported the Braves were picking up Sale’s option Wednesday.
Sale’s $18 million option is a no brainer for the Braves. The 36-year-old has experienced a late-career renaissance in Atlanta, winning the 2024 NL Cy Young Award. His 2025 stats weren’t quite to that level, but Sale has proven that he can be the ace of the staff as he ages.
The lefty had a 2.58 ERA in 125.2 innings for the Braves in 2025, the seventh-best ERA in baseball for pitchers with that workload.
The primary concern–as it has been throughout Sale’s career–has been his health. Sale fractured his rib on June 18 and didn’t see the mound again until early September.
The Braves must decide on two more club options before Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline. Relievers Tyler Kinley and Pierce Johnson have $5.5 million and $7 million options, respectively, in which Atlanta is expected to pick up.
The team also has an $8 million option ($1.5 million buyout) on minor league infielder David Fletcher, which it will most likely decline.