The Atlanta Braves are reportedly in agreement on a two-year, $23 million contract with outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports.
“Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a two-year, $23 million deal that includes a third-year club option, sources tell ESPN,” Passan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
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Yastrzemski is known for his time with the San Francisco Giants. He began his big league career in San Francisco back in 2019, and would play with the Giants until 2025. San Francisco ultimately moved on from Yastrzemski during the ’25 campaign, as he ended up joining the Kansas City Royals.
Yastrzemski finished eighth in MVP voting in 2020. He hit .297 with a .968 OPS that season. While it was a shortened 60-game campaign, Yastrzemski still played well over the 54 games he appeared in. He had also displayed signs of potential in 2019 as a rookie, recording an .852 OPS across 107 contests.
While he’s failed to hit for average since that 2020 season, Yastrzemski still offers some pop from the left side of the plate. He holds a career .772 OPS and has hit at least 15 home runs in each of his seasons in the big leagues.
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Yastrzemski is capable of playing everyday. However, he is also a guy who can platoon with a right-handed bat in the outfield.
In 2025, Yastrzemski, a left-handed hitter, hit just .138 with a .427 OPS against left-handed pitching. Against right-handers, however, the slugger hit .256 with an .809 OPS.
His splits suggest a platoon is probably the best course of action, but Yastrzemski can play everyday if needed as aforementioned.
Ronald Acuna Jr. and Michael Harris II will likely play right and center field in 2026. They also have Vidal Brujan and Brett Wisely — who can both play the infield and the outfield. Eli White is another outfield option. As the roster stands right now — assuming there are no setbacks and Yastrzemski’s deal with the Braves becomes official — the left-handed hitting outfielder could be a candidate to start in left field on Opening Day.
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With that said, the Braves may look to further upgrade their outfield. Their overall roster construction is probably not complete yet. Regardless of his role, Yastrzemski should provide a boost for Atlanta as the Braves hope to return to the postseason following a disappointing 2025 campaign.