Marcell Ozuna's option was picked up, Travis d'Arnaud's option was declined by Braves

ATLANTA – It turns out Marcell Ozuna was the only Braves player who could expect his contract option to be exercised.

In addition to announcing that Ozuna's $16 million option was picked up on Monday, the Braves also made the unexpected revelation that they had declined Travis d'Arnaud's $8 million option. Luke Jackson's $7 million option was also declined.

The Braves haven't closed the door on re-signing d'Arnaud this winter. But they were currently unable to pay him $8 million for next season. This makes the veteran one of the most attractive catchers on this year's free agent market.

A day after the Braves were eliminated in the Wild Card Series by the Padres, president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos announced that each of the team's four players had an option to return. It became clear that he did not want to include Jackson in this group. The only initial surprise, however, was that the team might exercise Aaron Bummer's $7.25 million option.

After Bummer's contract was finalized, there was at least reason to question whether d'Arnaud might also receive a multi-year deal that would have included a salary of less than $8 million for next season. He certainly wasn't expected to not exercise his option.

d'Arnaud has been a clubhouse leader since arriving in Atlanta before the 2020 season. The 35-year-old catcher hit .238 with 15 homers and an OPS of .738 in 99 games last season. He had to carry the load while projected primary catcher Sean Murphy missed the first two months of the season with an oblique strain. But d'Arnaud remained the catcher while Murphy posted a disappointing .636 OPS as the season progressed.

Coincidentally, one of the reasons the Braves need to create some payroll flexibility for 2025 is the fact that Murphy's salary will increase from $9 million to $15 million. Spencer Strider's salary increases from $1 million to $4 million. Chris Sale's $16 million salary for the '24 season was essentially paid for by the Red Sox. But it will cost 25 22 million dollars.

Murphy could certainly bounce back and be the productive offensive player he was in the first half of his 2023 All-Star season. But even as he got older, d'Arnaud offered the Braves the insurance they won't have next year.

Chadwick Tromp has shown he can be a serviceable backup catcher, and Drake Baldwin's stock certainly rose as the Braves' No. 5 prospect posted an .891 OPS across 334 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this year achieved. However, there remains some uncertainty about how Baldwin might compete at the big league level, both offensively and defensively.

Anthopoulos expressed the value of the experience when asked about Baldwin the day after his team's season ended.

“So much is expected of these guys on offense in terms of game planning, play calling and everything beyond the game,” Anthopoulos said. “I don’t think you can ever go wrong in this position if you get more time to develop.”

Regardless of who serves as Murphy's replacement, the Braves' lineup should once again benefit from Ozuna, who has been one of the game's best offensive players while hitting 79 home runs and compiling a .916 OPS over the past two seasons. The 33-year-old slugger hit .302 with 39 homers and an OPS of .924 this year.

Jackson was acquired from the Giants at the trade deadline for his second tour of duty with the Braves. The 33-year-old reliever had a 4.50 ERA in 18 innings with Atlanta.