The Atlanta Braves made news on this Opening Day as the team signed a shortstop not named Vaughn Grissom to a contract extension. MLB insider Robert Murray of FanSided reported early Thursday that the Braves and Orlando Arcia came to an agreement on a contract extension.
“Shortstop Orlando Arcia and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a three-year, $7.3 million contract that includes a club option for 2026, according to sources familiar with the deal. Arcia gets $2.3 million in 2023, $2 million in 2024 and $2 million in 2025,” Murray tweeted.
Shortstop Orlando Arcia and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a three-year, $7.3 million contract that includes a club option for 2026, according to sources familiar with the deal. Arcia gets $2.3 million in 2023, $2 million in 2024 and $2 million in 2025.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) March 30, 2023
Arcia’s new deal with Atlanta covers his age 28 through 30 seasons, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Though, the club option for 2026, which MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reported is worth $2 million with a $1 million buyout, gives the Braves team control through age 31.
Arcia will make $6.3M through the contract’s first three years. Contract includes a $2M option ($1M buyout) for the 2026 season https://t.co/QAw9bym64F
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 30, 2023
The Braves acquired Arcia in a trade with the Brewers at the beginning of the 2021 season. Since joining Atlanta, Arcia has hit .237/.308/.398 with a .706 OPS. Arcia has 11 home runs and 43 RBIs across two seasons with the Braves, mainly serving as a utility infielder during that time period.
The 2021 World Series champion beat out Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake in spring training for the starting shortstop job. The position was up for grabs after Dansby Swanson signed with the Chicago Cubs over the offseason and Arcia took his opportunity and ran with it.
The MLB world reacted to the huge Braves news ahead of Thursday’s Opening Day.
Brian Snitker on the Orlando Arcia contract extension:
"I'm glad to know that he's going to be around for a little bit. That's really nice because he's a wonderful, wonderful young man." pic.twitter.com/IFp5DVkRkI
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) March 30, 2023
If Orlando Arcia puts up 1 fWAR in 2023, he will have provided about $8.5M worth of production. Which is more than the $7.3M he will be paid over the next 3 seasons. Why is this such a problem for some people?
— Beaneater Buzz (@BeaneaterB) March 30, 2023
These guys getting GameStop prices over there https://t.co/ipkehonXto
— Trang (@traaang) March 30, 2023
Is Arcia going to produce 5 WAR each year during this contract? No.
Is he likely to provide enough value to make this investment well-worth it?
Probably. AA working magic again.
Orlando can easily provide enough value from the bench, even if everyday SS doesn't work out. https://t.co/pfPLHw01vG
— DoctorBobble (@DoctorBobble) March 30, 2023
I may be on an island here, but I think Arcia is going to surprise some people this year. I like it. Grissom could end up our Chris Taylor type player and Shewmake could make for a good trade piece. https://t.co/y9UEnx6eEk
— E. Goldie (@emgolds22) March 30, 2023
If you haven’t noticed, the Braves front office LOVES Arcia.
-they saw a tweak they thought they could make in his swing
-tried to trade for him and failed
-successfully traded for him
-tweaked the swing and he mashed in AAA
-has largely been a bench player since https://t.co/9oiVIy2SP9— Austin Cain-Reach (@reach_baseball) March 30, 2023
By the end of this deal, the Braves could have Arcia from 2021-26 at a total cost of about $10.9 million. https://t.co/XGRjPjjoxX
— Matt Chrietzberg (@BravesMattC) March 30, 2023
[Robert Murray, MLB Trade Rumors, Mark Bowman]
