Prior to Thursday night's game against the New York Mets, the Atlanta Braves announced they agreed to a seven-year, $35 million extension with second-baseman Ozzie Albies.
The Atlanta Braves today agreed to terms with INF Ozzie Albies on a seven-year contract extension through 2025 worth $35 million, with club options for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/lzIYsn7PaM
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 11, 2019
However, there were a lot of people who took to social media questioning whether Albies was lowballed by the Braves. ESPN's Jeff Passan went a step further saying it might be the worst contract ever signed by a player.
It's typical that agents criticize competitors' deals. But I've now heard from executives, players, analytics people, development side and scouts who are saying the same thing: The Ozzie Albies extension might be the worst contract ever for a player. And this is not hyperbole.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 11, 2019Robb Tribble and Bryant McFadden had the same questions when it came to Albies' extension.
"He seems to be okay with what he signed because he did not have to sign this deal," McFadden said. "He could have waited. I mean, goodness, if he would hit arbitration, he would've made more money."
Albies addressed why he signed the contract saying it wasn't because of the money.
Albies: "I don't look at it just from money because I'm not playing for money. I'm playing for my career. I took it because I want my family to be safe."
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 11, 2019"I think he just wanted the stability," Tribble said. "I don't know what his financial hardships were."
McFadden said if Albies is okay with it, he's okay with it.
"This is what (the Braves) threw on the table, and he felt like this is what he needed to do; not just from the individual standpoint but his family's standpoint. So I'm okay, and I applaud him, for doing something that many individuals may never get the opportunity to do at 22."
"They're labeling this the worst contract ever. I think the biggest issue a lot of people are having with this deal is that--Atlanta, the Braves--you know what his worth is. You cannot sit here and tell us that, being honest, Ozzie is worth $5 million per year."
