4 Braves players who could be up for an extension at the end of 2026

The Atlanta Braveshave no shortage of tough decisions to makewhen the 2026 season does come to an end and their attention shifts towards the future. There is no shortage of impact pieces whose future remains unclear. With this in mind, let's look at four pieces the franchise should already be working with to extend due to expiring deals or contract situations that could lead to future difficult decisions the longer they are delayed.

1. Ozzie Albies

Albies has a $7 million club option that is a no-brainer and locks in at least one more season of stability for the second baseman. However, the Braves don't appear to have a clear option ready to step in if Albies were to leave in free agency. Extending the second baseman for 2-3 additional years should be well within Atlanta's budget, and it keeps an important piece of your clubhouse in place and lets the Braves focus attention on their middle infield.

2. Mauricio Dubon

There is a risk here, as Dubon is having an incredible season and putting up numbers that are clear outliers when compared to the rest of his career. However, it isn't as if the utility player is going to be able to demand an insane contract, and the Braves have questions at shortstop and in left field, where Jurickson Profar could potentially return depending on the offseason ahead. It is at least worth gauging where Dubon's head is and whether his camp is willing to lock down their future early on.

3. Ronald Acuna Jr.

Acuna is having an incredibly rough season and has a $17 million team option that is going to get exercised. The argument here is why not look to lock up Acuna coming off a rough season, understanding the price is only going in the wrong direction. The superstar has been an offense unto himself when at his best, and everything about this past season suggests that it is simply an outlier that will quickly be erased. Atlanta needs to at least explore whether or not Acuna might be willing to give up future earnings for instant long-term stability.

4. Tyler Mahle

This is by far the most interesting name on the list, with much depending on how things play out over the final month. However, there is no denying just how impressive Mahle has been. Atlanta's rotation has spent the last two years injury-plagued, leaving every reason to consider attempting to come to a cheap extension with Mahle, who might entertain this if the final four weeks of the season go as smoothly as his first four starts with the Braves.

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