Braves sign OF Mike Yastrzemski to 2-year, $23M deal

The Atlanta Braves signed free agent outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year, $23 million contract on Wednesday.

Yastrzemski will make $9 million in 2026 and $10 million in 2027 with a team option worth $7 million for 2028 or a $4 million buyout.

The grandson of Baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, Mike Yastrzemski has a career .238 average with 123 home runs and 364 RBIs over 840 games spanning seven seasons.

Yastrzemski, 35, was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 14th round of the 2013 draft but had spent his entire major league career with the San Francisco Giants before he was traded to the Kansas City Royals at this year's trade deadline for pitching prospect Yunior Marte. He became a free agent after the season.

The left-handed batter broke onto the scene with a .272 batting average and 21 homers in 107 games as a rookie in 2019. He finished eighth in National League MVP voting in the COVID-shortened 2020 season when he hit .297 with 10 home runs and 14 doubles in 54 games.

Yastrzemski hasn't surpassed the 20-homer milestone or hit better than .235 in the four seasons since hitting 25 homers in 2021. He batted .233 with 17 homers, 28 doubles and 46 RBIs in 146 games last season between the Giants and the Royals.

Yastrzemski has traditionally played right field, but that spot has been held of late by Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. It remains to be seen if Yastrzemski settles into left field or is more of a rotational fourth outfielder.

To open a spot on the 40-man roster, Atlanta designated outfielder Michael Siani for assignment.

The Braves claimed Siani off waivers from the Cardinals in November. The 26-year-old has a career .221 average and two homers across 344 at-bats and 160 games at the major league level from the 2022-25 seasons.

--Field Level Media