Braves add Yastrzemski on 2-year, $23M deal
The Atlanta Braves signed outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year, $23-million contract, the club announced Wednesday.
Yastrzemski's deal includes a 2028 club option worth $7 million and a $4-million buyout.
The 35-year-old will make $9 million in 2026 and $10 million in 2027.
The Braves already have Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, and Jurickson Profar projected to start in the outfield for 2026. However, Yastrzemski provides depth to a team that's dealt with plenty of injuries over the last few seasons. He could also start in right field if the club wants to use Acuña as a designated hitter to give the 2023 NL MVP a rest from playing in the field every day.
Signing Yastrzemski gives #Braves coverage if Sean Murphy needs more time to heal from groin surgery, as Jurickson Profar can slide to DH, Yaz to LF. Yaz can also give Acuña some days off and make occasional Cf start if needed. LH bat, good splits vs. RHs. Strong corner defender
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) December 11, 2025
Yastrzemski hit a combined 17 homers with 46 RBIs and a .735 OPS over 146 games between the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants in 2025. Defensively, he finished in the 97th percentile for arm value and 73rd in arm strength.