The Atlanta Braves have announced that they have extended All-Star III captain Austin Riley to a mega contract.
The Atlanta Braves have announced that it was extended Their third All-Star Austin Riley to a massive contract extension.
The extension will be for 10 years and $212 million, with an average annual value (AAV) of $21.2 million. That would be important for luxury tax purposes but the contract breakdown is a bit different.
Braves extended Austin Riley for another 10 years
The Braves extended their third-place All-Star Austin Riley through the 2032 season with a massive contract extension.
Riley will make $15 million in 2023, $21 million in 2024, and $22 million for the rest of the decade (until 2032). Additionally, the club will have a $20 million club option for the year 2033. This contract will make Riley a contract for almost his entire career as he is currently 25 years old. If the team option is exercised, that would make Riley turn 36 at the end of the deal.
This season, Riley has played 101 games and here are his stats and how he ranks in the National League.
- .301 batting average (seventh)
- .604 deceleration ratio (I)
- .964 OPS (II)
- 239 total rules (1)
- 31 doubles (2)
- 29 home runs (2)
- 68 RBI (6th)
- 4.7 rWAR (V)
He’s well on his way to being voted Player of the Year, as he did last season. Last season, Riley was not an All-Star but came in seventh in the NL MVP vote and won the Silver Slugger award.
For Braves, it’s an excellent deal. If Riley plays as he played this season and last season (and probably will), this is actually a bargain deal for them. They will be with him, first baseman Matt Olson, second starting man Ozzy Albis, and defensive tackle Ronald Acuña Jr. together through at least the 2025 season. If the club exercises its team options, these key four will be together until at least 2027 in their current contract.
For Riley, sure, it can be a bargain, but as so many players throughout baseball history have attested, you can never take anything for granted. He could be the best baseball player and then you get injured and you’re not.
$212 million changes Riley’s life and changes the lives of his family so it’s a good deal all around for both sides.
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