Once a reliable cornerstone of the Atlanta Braves, Ozzie Albies has quickly become one of the bigger question marks for the struggling franchise. The infielder has consistently underachieved at the plate over the last two seasons and dealt with a laundry list of injuries. The second baseman's 2024 season was hampered by a wrist fracture, with the next year ending with another broken bone in his left hand.
Add in the declining power numbers, Albies hitting far below his career average in both the last two seasons, and it is fair to say patience is wearing thin.
Atlanta's lineup doesn't have the depth or margin for error it once did, badly needing Albies to be productive to work as expected. Instead, he can't stay healthy and has performed far below expectations when on the field. Still, the Braves opted to exercise the infielder's team option for the 2026 season, already facing questions at shortstop.
Braves 2B Ozzie Albies Facing Prove-It Year After Two Seasons of Frustration
Albies is returning; however, it is on a one-year deal, with the franchise needing proof that better seasons are ahead. He's still only 28 years old and should be in the middle of his prime as a hitter. This leaves a level of hope that perhaps the last two seasons were simply outliers and that better days are ahead.
Another injury-plagued or down year offensively from Albies, and it is very plausible that the Braves opt to turn the page. As much as it is a league fascinated with its own history, players are only paid on current production. Albies isn't providing enough consistency to continue to keep the infielder in the lineup, having only slashed .240/.306/.365 with 16 home runs, 74 RBIs, 55 walks, and a 2.1 WAR in 667 plate appearances last season.
Looking at the Braves' expected lineup, Albies is far from alone, with Sean Murphy, Michael Harris, and Ha-Seong Kim all considered potential question marks as well. This helps point out just how little margin for error the Braves have, and why Albies must return to the version of himself the infielder was beforethe past two seasons.
While the Braves don't need incredible power numbers from the second baseman, they do need a far higher level of consistency. If he can accomplish this, it will go a long way in pushing the Braves back into relevance and take his future out of question. If the struggles remain, though, Atlanta will have no choice but to turn the page and search for a more consistent answer.