The Atlanta Braves are one of the most successful teams in Major League Baseball, having won 17 division titles, five National League pennants, and one World Series championship since moving to Atlanta in 1966. The Braves have also produced some of the greatest players in baseball history, such as Hank Aaron, Greg Maddux, Chipper Jones, and Freddie Freeman. But how much do the Braves pay their players? How do they compare to other teams in terms of payroll and salary distribution? In this article, we will explore the BRAVES player salary by average, minimum, and maximum, based on the latest data from Many Realeble Sources, Whose website that tracks sports contracts and salaries.
Average Salary
The average salary of a BRAVES player in 2023 is $6,457,500, which ranks 9th among the 30 MLB teams. The average salary of a BRAVES player in 2021 was $4,316,667, which ranked 15th among the 30 MLB teams. This means that the Braves have increased their average salary by 49.6% in two years, which is the second-highest percentage increase among all MLB teams, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers (50.8%). The Braves have also surpassed the MLB average salary of $5,959,000 in 2023, which is up from $4,430,000 in 2021.
The highest-paid player on the Braves in 2023 is first baseman Matt Olson, who signed a five-year, $105 million contract with the team in December 2022. Olson will earn $21 million in 2023, which is the 10th-highest salary among all MLB players. The second-highest-paid player on the Braves is starting pitcher Charlie Morton, who re-signed with the team for a one-year, $20 million deal in November 2022. Morton will earn $20 million in 2023, which is the 12th-highest salary among all MLB players. The third-highest-paid player on the Braves is outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., who signed an eight-year, $100 million contract extension with the team in April 2019. Acuna will earn $17 million in 2023, which is the 22nd-highest salary among all MLB players.
Minimum Salary
The minimum salary of a BRAVES player in 2023 is $570,500, which is the same as the MLB minimum salary for that year. The minimum salary of a BRAVES player in 2021 was $570,500 as well, which was also the same as the MLB minimum salary for that year. This means that the Braves have not changed their minimum salary in two years, which is consistent with most MLB teams. The MLB minimum salary has increased by 5% from $545,000 in 2020 to $570,500 in 2021 and 2023.
The lowest-paid player on the Braves in 2023 is starting pitcher Spencer Strider, who will earn $570,500 in his rookie season. Strider was drafted by the Braves in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB draft out of Clemson University. He made his major league debut in September 2022 and posted a 2-0 record with a 2.25 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 12 innings. The second-lowest-paid player on the Braves is catcher William Contreras, who will also earn $570,500 in his third season with the team. Contreras was signed by the Braves as an international free agent in July 2015 out of Venezuela. He made his major league debut in May 2020 and has a career batting average of .248 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs in 97 games. The third-lowest-paid player on the Braves is outfielder Forrest Wall, who will also earn $570,500 in his second season with the team. Wall was acquired by the Braves from the Colorado Rockies in July 2021 as part of a trade that sent pitcher Tyler Matzek to Colorado. He made his major league debut in August 2021 and has a career batting average of .286 with one home run and four RBIs in nine games.
Maximum Salary
The maximum salary of a BRAVES player in 2023 is $21 million, which is paid to Matt Olson as mentioned above. The maximum salary of a BRAVES player in 2021 was $22 million, which was paid to Freddie Freeman as part of his eight-year, $135 million contract extension that he signed with the team in February 2014. Freeman became a free agent after the 2021 season and signed a six-year, $180 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2021. This means that the Braves have decreased their maximum salary by 4.5% in two years, which is the fourth-lowest percentage decrease among all MLB teams, behind only the Chicago Cubs (16.7%), the Boston Red Sox (10.2%), and the Houston Astros (5.3%). The Braves have also fallen below the MLB maximum salary of $43 million in 2023, which is paid to Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels. The MLB maximum salary has increased by 7.5% from $40 million in 2021, which was paid to Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees.
The second-highest-paid player on the Braves in 2023 is Charlie Morton as mentioned above. The third-highest-paid player on the Braves is Ronald Acuna Jr. as mentioned above.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have seen that the BRAVES player salary by average, minimum, and maximum has changed significantly in the past two years, reflecting the team’s performance and ambitions. The Braves have increased their average salary by 49.6%, which is the second-highest percentage increase among all MLB teams, showing their willingness to invest in their core players and attract new talent. The Braves have also surpassed the MLB average salary of $5,959,000 in 2023, which is up from $4,430,000 in 2021. The Braves have not changed their minimum salary of $570,500 in two years, which is consistent with most MLB teams and the MLB minimum salary for that period. The Braves have decreased their maximum salary by 4.5%, which is the fourth-lowest percentage decrease among all MLB teams, due to the departure of Freddie Freeman to the Los Angeles Angels. The Braves have also fallen below the MLB maximum salary of $43 million in 2023, which is paid to Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels.
The Braves have a total payroll of $205,850,000 in 2023, which ranks 8th among the 30 MLB teams. The Braves have a luxury tax payroll of $191,900,000 in 2023, which ranks 9th among the 30 MLB teams. The luxury tax threshold for 2023 is $210 million, which means that the Braves are below the limit and will not have to pay any penalties. The Braves have a competitive balance tax payroll of $191,900,000 in 2023, which ranks 9th among the 30 MLB teams. The competitive balance tax threshold for 2023 is $180 million, which means that the Braves are above the limit and will have to forfeit their second-highest draft pick and $500,000 of international bonus pool money in 2024.
The Braves are expected to contend for another National League East title and a deep playoff run in 2023, as they have a balanced and talented roster that features stars like Matt Olson, Charlie Morton, Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Raisel Iglesias. The Braves are also hopeful that some of their injured players like Mike Soroka and Huascar Ynoa will return to full health and contribute to the team’s success. The Braves are also likely to make some moves before the trade deadline to bolster their roster and address any needs or weaknesses.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: Who is the highest-paid player on the BRAVES?
A: Matt Olson is the highest-paid player on the BRAVES in 2023 with a salary of $21 million.
Q: Who is the lowest-paid player on the BRAVES?
A: Spencer Strider is the lowest-paid player on the BRAVES in 2023 with a salary of $570,500.
Q: What is the average salary of a BRAVES player?
A: The average salary of a BRAVES player in 2023 is $6,457,500.
Q: How does the BRAVES player salary compare to other MLB teams?
A: The BRAVES player salary ranks 9th among the 30 MLB teams in terms of average salary ($6,457,500), minimum salary ($570,500), and maximum salary ($21 million).
Q: How does the BRAVES player salary compare to the MLB average salary?
A: The BRAVES player salary is above the MLB average salary of $5,959,000 in 2023.
Q: How does the BRAVES player salary compare to the MLB minimum salary?
A: The BRAVES player salary is equal to the MLB minimum salary of $570,500 in 2023.
Q: How does the BRAVES player salary compare to the MLB maximum salary?
A: The BRAVES player salary is below the MLB maximum salary of $43 million in 2023.
Q: What is the total payroll of the BRAVES?
A: The total payroll of the BRAVES in 2023 is $205,850,000.
Q: What is the luxury tax payroll of the BRAVES?
A: The luxury tax payroll of the BRAVES in 2023 is $191,900,000.