11:22am: Albies will serve as a designated hitter in tomorrow’s spring opener, tweets David O’Brien of The Athletic. Manager Brian Snitker indicated, however, that Albies could be playing second base in Grapefruit League games as soon as next week.
10:18am: Second baseman Ozzie Albies revealed at Braves camp this week that he underwent surgery back in October to address an impingement in his right shoulder, reports Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Albies’ buildup this spring is slightly behind schedule as a result of the operation, but he tells Toscano he “100 percent” expects to be ready for Opening Day.
It’s been a tough year, health-wise, for Albies, who played in just 64 games this past season due to a fractured left foot and a fractured right pinkie. He tallied only 269 plate appearances with Atlanta in 2022, turning in the first below-average offensive season of his career: .247/.294/.409 (93 wRC+).
Albies, who adds that he’s been playing through shoulder pain for multiple years, hit .259/.310/.488 with 30 home runs as recently as 2021 and is a lifetime .271/.322/.470 hitter with 98 homers, 63 steals, a 6.8% walk rate and 17.7% strikeout rate in 2709 trips to the plate. He’s won a pair of Silver Sluggers and made two All-Star teams along the way.
Certainly, it’ll be worth keeping an eye on Albies as he progresses through spring, but there’s no indication from the player or the team that he’ll be sidelined to begin the season. If he does incur any kind of setback, the Braves would likely deploy both Vaughn Grissom and Orlando Arcia in the middle infield, while veterans Yolmer Sanchez, Adeiny Hechavarria and Ehire Adrianza provide further depth as non-roster invitees in spring training.
Though Albies is entering his seventh Major League season, he only just turned 26 years old last month. The 2023 campaign will be the fifth year of a seven-year, $35MM contract extension he inked back in April of 2019. He’s set to earn $7MM this season and in each of the next two campaigns as well. The Braves also hold a pair of $7MM options on Albies for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Remember when everyone criticized this guy for signing what they claimed at the time as a massive under sell of a contract?
It still is
Yeah. Albies got his life-changing money and is happy in Atlanta, so good on him, but a minor shoulder surgery and pair of fluke broken bones doesn’t really change the calculus much.
He’d have reached free agency next winter, heading into his age-27 season. Given his youth and track record, a nine-figure deal could well have been there. Instead, he’s guaranteed $18MM over two more seasons and the Braves can control him as affordably as four years and $28MM thanks to the pair of options.
It remains among the most team-friendly contracts in baseball.
Dr. Steve Adams – there’s no such thing as “minor” shoulder surgery.
It’s a fair critique — I oversimplified for the purpose of making a point about the contract and didn’t think about the word choice on the surgery. I’d change that if I could, though my general view on the contract still stands.
I agree he is a bargain, but even Correa only got 105 last winter, so I highly doubt a guy injured the whole year would get 100 MM+. I do like the change in tone from the “These players are paid as slaves! Pay them more or else!” to something more nuanced. It looks like MLBTR is becoming even better at it.
No problem, Steve. It’s surely a fantastic contract (for the Braves). We’ll see how impactful the surgery is in the short and long term.
Some shoulder surgeries are less serious and have greater success than others. Impingement surgery is less serious and more successful than say, rotator cuff surgery.
It is *never* minor shoulder surgery.
The track record for hitters – after shoulder surgery – is very poor. Fan Graphs did a lengthy post on this about two weeks ago. These hitters may not see a drop in contact rate, but their hard-hit percentage and exit velocity crater. Badly.
Sorry if that wrecks anyone’s narrative.
“It is *never* minor shoulder surgery.”
Absolutes are always wrong.
Wasn’t that an absolute?
Yes, and that’s part of the joke. It’s a play on Mark Twain’s
“All generalizations are false, including this one”.
Brian McCann had surgery for a torn labrum in October 2012 and was an all star in 2013.
I think that says more about the level of competition at the position than it says about McCann. Read the post, The success rate (regarding exit velocity and hard hit percentage) fall off the table after surgery.
So, singles hitters can make a full recovery. Ehh, probably.
Definitely maybe.
Except that McCann had one of his better offensive seasons in 2013, and any dropoff was more defensive than offensive. And not only does the article just so happen to leave him out, it also conveniently leaves out any discussion of Buxton, who’s had his best seasons offensively *since* his labrum surgery in 2019. Plus, the article you mention doesn’t even mention exit velocity or hard hit percentage once, despite what you claim it says about them.
In short, cherrypicking 101.
It appears you don’t read beyond headlines, do you?
It still is, in 2019 FanGraphs puts his statistical output worth $33.4 mil and 2021 was close to $31.1 mil. Those two years alone overpay for his his contract. Any other value mixed in (his injured years) was gravy at this point. Let’s not fail to forget his 2018 years was worth $29 mil that was stupid cheap for the Braves.
Here’s hoping he plays in 155 games with an OPS over .825.
This is the worst contract for a player in all of baseball. One more reason why the Braves are so good these days.
Martin Perez says hi.
Isn’t Perez on the qualifying offer?
Yes, and he is making as much as Kershaw
Shoulder surgeries often don’t go well, depending on the complexity. Since he’s in camp only months later, it sounds like it’s more of a “minor” variety.
Ozzie is the heart and soul of the team, nobody plays harder or wants to win more than he does. Looking forward to watching him this year under the new rules.
I just have to laugh at this comment. He makes it look that way on some plays, but on others he loafs. I do love the enthusiasm … when it’s there. Still, he is worth more than this contract for certain.
All that being said, no one should criticize him for signing this contract. Those people are just idiots playing with other peoples money. Albies immediately becauise set for life and he could have had a career ending injury the very next day. So people bashing him for it are just being ridiculous. He will still be mega-rich with this deal and it basically shaves two years of big earnings off him, which won’t even be an issue if he keeps playing at current level.
It basically comes down to this
– You can have $35 million today .. no questions asked .. but it will likely mean the difference in you only getting $200 million instead of $250 a few years down the road(rough estimate, but you get the idea). NO BRAINER!
Albie-surprised if he ever hits again with that bum shoulder. Poor poor Braves…
Why don’t you go post on another thread and take your denigrating, sarcastic comments with you? and You Can Put It In The Books .
Nah, I’m good Curly. Getting to you makes it all worth it.
Not so smart. More like an angry stooge.
Ater seeing this response, You Can Put It In The Books, you are pathetic and no one backs you, you are sad
I love you too, Curly
@put it in the books…I see you’re still mad you had to put yet another Mets collapse in the books a few months ago, huh?
It was the most enjoyable season in a long time. Yes, it sucks to collapse. But that’s the way sports work!
Hope you can get past it yourself. Seems like it bothers you more than me.
Braves are such a stellar org. They give Albies less than 50MM for the bulk of an All-Star career while an inferior team like the sloppy Cubbies gives a player like Swanson $150MM for the back 9 of his career.
$177M.
Every team has a bad contract I’d like to remind you of the Ozuna deal the Braves still have.
Yes but the difference is the Ozuna contract has been dialogued about plenty. This one is new. =}
True, but Albies’s contract has been really good, Atlanta has reaped some really great results. And as for Swanson’s contract, it hasn’t even started so I don’t understand the animosity. In all honesty, if Braves fans are really complaining about Albies’s contract, you’ve spoiled by a fantastic front office.
The Braves have one bad 2/yr contract for $37M (plus the Odorizzi money). Most teams would love to have that little amount of bad contract.
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Is fantasy baseball even fun with no money involved? If there’s no money then half the people end up not paying attention at some point. $100 leagues are where it’s at. Just enough to make someone care and winner takes all is $1k-$1200. That’s always fun.
I’ve never played for money, and it’s always been plenty fun. But some people are naturally competitive and some just play for the money. Different strokes.
Then, just trade derivatives. That’s a more consistent and cheaper way to gamble.
Like Bitcoin?
Derivatives have a price the depend on there price of an underlying asset. Examples are Interest Rate Swaps, Foreign Exchange Options, Forwards/Futures, Options, Swoptions/Swaptions, Credits, and a bunch of exotic stuff that includes options on options. What you can trade is mostly just Options if you have a regular account, though.
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I’m interested if there’s no money involved
AdmiralPatton absolutely free the link is below at bottom of the page.
If you have anymore spots in the future. I’d be interested.
Albies has the least talked about injury bug. He gets hurt more than “injury prone” guys and gets none of the crap from the media. What gives?
He was really only “injury prone” last year.
Does that tell you the media knows how much of a bargain that contract is? Big contracts = big pressure. Albies also is an exceptional person that buys him so grace from fangs of the media, though not much of that exists in a mid-market. If he were a Met/Yankee/Red Sock, he’d be on the chopping block.
He was called up midway through 17, played 158 in 18, 160 in 19, 20 was the COVID shortened season, played 156 in 21…so he was hurt last year and now he’s got an injury bug???
@Admiral Patton
How is breaking bones in your foot and in your hand compared to being ‘injury prone’. That’s a false comparison if ever I heard one…
Albies got so screwed with his contract. I hope he has fired the agent who let him sign it. The same goes for Acuna. Arbitration has changed quite a bit. They would have certainly been looking at big bumps in the next 2 years. Braves did a great job of locking up young guys but at some these players will be angry at Braves. Who knows maybe we could see a mass holdout.
If you talk to the players, they might actually say they’re happy.
Joe S – As time goes on, there’s a good chance some of the Braves’ well-below market deals could stop looking so good from the player’s side.
All they have to do is look around and see how much money they left on the table (assuming general health and continued productivity in-line with their career norms). Their peers are going to keep getting bigger and bigger contracts. Hard to ignore if you’re Acuña, Albies, Harris. At least Riley got $200M+, dude’s a stud.
Unfortunately, Swanson jumping ship for more money should signal to even the most optimistic fan that not everyone in the org is going to accept significantly below-market deals. I think Fried will at least explore his options too. One has to wonder if AA (who is awesome) has any more rabbits to pull out of the proverbial hat?
You’re a Mets fan and hate the Braves, and actively root for player injuries, we get it.
That seems a bit uncalled for on this particular post, Mr. Bream. I objectively explained my position and even complimented Riley and AA. I hope you figure out whatever it is that’s wrong with you someday.
“ Albie-surprised if he ever hits again with that bum shoulder. Poor poor Braves…”
That came across as a little gleeful. I believe Mr. Bream has you pegged.
The leopard never changes its spots.
No disagreement here, Crime Dog – I am who I am. What I poorly articulated the first time was that that Sid should have replied to the right comment as bhambrave correctly alluded to. To reply to a completely unrelated comment is, well, unfortunate.
Way to change your name since everyone knows your schtick.
I only felt like responding to your gleeful attitude about Albies’ injury and your idiotic thoughts that the Braves are going to regret the extensions once I felt like doing so. The fact that you want to cry that I replied to what you deem as being the “wrong” comment is typical Mets fanbaby stuff that makes that fanbase the most universally loathed in all of baseball. You spent the vast majority of the 2022 season belittling people on here and making silly comments about how great your team is, and then you watched their annual choke job, pretending like it didn’t bother you. You are an awful commentator on here and the only reason I haven’t muted you is because it’s fun to watch you try to cope with having a very high payroll while still choking.
I understand why you are giddily hoping Albies doesn’t get healthy, I would be upset too if the Braves paid all of that money to a porcelain doll like Nimmo too.
Swanson was given every opportunity to put consistent offensive numbers and didn’t in a full reg season until his contract year. That would affect any extension, with ATL FO not risking a more robust number on inconsistent numbers, and a player not risking locking it up, hoping to put together their best season to garner better offers. IFA Swanson were better, sooner, he would have been extended, much like the others that had earned Braves FO trust early on to make them willing to commit to a more feasible amount. Braves weren’t going to commit $100M to defensive-only SS.
Unfortunately for most (not all) of us Americans it comes down to greed & pride. For many players they aren’t content w setting 2-5 future generations of their families set for life. It’s about getting as much as possible & being the highest paid. Most, not all of the international players weren’t raised w all of the amenities & privileges that we take for granted. Acuna, Albies and others have made life altering changes for their parents and generations to come. With continued good health, they’ll still be able to make more. Sometimes it’s about what’s best for me AND my family. Would they like to be getting paid more? Most likely the answer is yes. Do they regret the decision that they made? Probably not.
Give it time.
I agree with everything you said except the word “unfortunately” at the beginning. I see nothing wrong with trying to get the most you can for your services. You’re a star in a multibillion dollar industry. Why not be properly compensated?
Swanson was only elite in his walk year. Completely different than acuna, Albies….seems guys are still signing for team friendly “discounts” to be in Atlanta. Seems like a good place to be and I doubt $75 million has made Albies sad about his choices.
Give it time Lenny
He’s not missing any time from it and he plays second base so he doesn’t need the strongest arm there anyways. So I see this as not a big deal
Exactly. And he’s 26.
You don’t see it as a big deal when a guy can’t stay on the field?
That was only last year every other year he has played most of the games. And both were from freak injuries like the foot fracture from hitting a foul tip from his foot and sliding into a base and breaking a finger. Those kind of injuries can happen to anyone and is not an outlier for things to come.
1 injury year makes him injury prone but you probably still think degrom is elite when he starts 13 games a year.
LOLzzz “So I don’t see this as a big deal”
Fernando Tatis Jr – to be determined
Jake Meyers (’21) – not the same player
Miguel Andujar (’20) – not the same player
Greg Bird (’16) – might have ended his career
Devin Mesoraco (’16)
Daric Barton (’11)
Posada (’08) – partial tear, back decent and then faded
Jesus Flores (’09) – career ender
Also, in case you forgot – these “former good hitters” also had shoulder surgery:
Justin Upton
Matt Kemp
Gregory Polanco
Pablo Sandoval
Hanley Ramirez
Adrian Gonzalez
Austin Kearns
Others whom we just don’t know enough yet, but possibly on a similar course:
Dom Smith
Cody Bellinger
Corbin Carroll
Josh Jung
Forgot Conforto, Michael.
Correct. I suspect Conforto will have “great warning track power” – especially in SF.
Ken Griffey Jr. breaks wrist 1996- How ever did he recover
Aaron Judge misses 60 games in 2019 and half of 2020 with various injuries- How did he recover
Chipper Jones Tears his ACL 1994- How did he recover
I can go on and on with my side as well.
Guys get injured and most recover and some don’t but the fact that it’s not a degenerative aliment that cost Ozzie games last season I will be willing bet he will play 145 plus games and probably be a top 5 second baseman for 2023 especially with the dramatic shifts coming to an end.
Shoulder surgery. We are talking about shoulder surgeries.
Not a broken wrist.
Not an ACL.
Shoulder injuries sap power. Sometimes for the rest of their career.
I’m a x-ray tech I’ve been in Ortho operating rooms working a C-Arm on orthopedic patients. The fact that he’s playing now and not out until midseason later tells me it wasn’t a torn labrum or any dislocation and he probably just had minor surgery to clean up something like scar tissue.
Some people don’t get it, Buckner. Let this butt-head learn the hard way.
We’re talking Impingement, not rotator cuff, not labrum. There are different types of shoulder injuries, some serious, some not. No one on this board has seen his medicals, so no one here knows the details. Chill out.
Exactly bhambrave
Just hope he didn’t use Mike Sorokas orthopedic surgeon though lol
Damnit!!! So true
You are obviously another Mets fan, since Buckner is the only reason your team won a second WS. You seem a bit too giddy as well trying to act like Albies career is over because of a surgery to clean out a shoulder. Typical Mets fan behavior.
I’m optimistic about my team. Want a Kleenex?
You need a tampax. And you should be optimistic, having the third best team in the division while having the highest payroll in baseball is quite the feat.
You’ve become the very thing you swore to destroy.
One more spot available here is the link
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I always laugh at the big deal made about Albies contract; Albies agreed to it and signed it and got 50 million guaranteed contract. Being made a guaranteed millionaire isn’t a bad thing; most people would go for it in a heartbeat.
He’s 100% full of sht. He’ll have another .245 season. Go Dodgers.
Thanks for your insightful contribution.
Surgery for impingement (“shoulder decompression”) is performed via a keyhole (arthroscopic) technique, and may be done as a day case or with a single night in hospital.
2 or 3 small incisions ( 1 cm each) are made around the shoulder through which the camera (arthroscope) and arthroscopic instruments are inserted.
Fig. 2 Removal of spur
During the surgery, the bone of the acromion is shaved and the CA ligament removed to make more room for the rotator cuff tendons to move. If a bone spur is present, it is removed during this process. The inflamed and thickened bursa is also partly removed and the whole shoulder is evaluated.
The keyhole technique has some advantages compared with traditional methods of “open” surgery using larger incisions:
Less pain
Shorter hospital stay (day case or overnight only)
Faster initial rehabilitation
Less stiffness (restriction of movement) following the surgery
Lower chance of infection
Better ability to identify and treat other areas of damage
Complications are rare from this type of surgery. The procedure generally takes less than an hour to perform and there is no blood loss.
If there was no rotator cuff tear, an early exercise program will be encouraged to regain movement as soon as possible. Instructions for this will be given in hospital and exercises at home should commence from day 1 following surgery.
The shoulder will be painful for the first couple of days but then settle well over the next couple of weeks. It is normal to feel discomfort when lifting items or raising the shoulder high for the first 6 to 8 weeks. Full recovery is from 4 to 6 months.
The Braves’ second baseman said he had a shoulder impingement, so “they had to go through and clean it up a little bit.” That is classified as minor..
“Obviously feel way better now than before, so I’m happy for that.”
Ok, now copy/paste the protocols and recovery time for a PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE to recover to 100% of their pre-injury form.
“Full recovery is from 4 to 6 months.”
.
A professional athlete’s full recovery time would be different, no? Average Joe could very well take 4 to 6 months to recover in time for his Beer League Softball team’s playoffs. Professional Jose likely has a slightly more complex path than Average Joe though, since Joe’s end goal is just to be able to drink a full beer at every base. I suppose that’s close enough to being able to hit a baseball when comparing recovery times.
As the great Ted Williams said, “hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports”. And if I might add, hitting a baseball WITH POWER is harder.
Shoulder surgery – It’s a pretty lethal thing.
Pros likely get a lot more attention during their rehab. I had wrist surgery (two, actually), and I was limited to 15 therapy sessions by insurance. One or two sessions per week for 45 minutes each. Pro athletes likely get a lot more than that. So, yes, they have a higher target than Joe, but they also get much better care.
Anyone that says Ozzie wouldn’t have power….have you been watching ST games. Little guy with big power post surgery.