This has not been the season Ozzie Albies, or the Atlanta Braves, wanted to have.
But here they are in late July, out of the playoff picture and facing big decisions as the trade deadline approaches.
Albies' name has been floated in trade rumors, but he's a bit of a complicated case between his struggles at the plate and his team-friendly contract for the next couple years.
It sounds like the Braves don't totally want to give up on him yet.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that Atlanta "plans to pick up his $7 million option this winter, and will at least listen to trade offers for him. Albies also has a $7 million club option in 2027."
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It's interesting that the Braves' desire to activate Albies' team option emerges at the same time as the idea that they'll still listen to trade offers, but that could be to try and drive his price up a bit.
Clearly there is a point where Albies isn't even worth $7 million, but that's a rather affordable cost if the switch-hitting second baseman rebounds at all next season.
It really doesn't benefit the Braves a ton to let him get away for nothing.
Now, if they get a trade offer worth accepting, that's a different story, because that's not letting him get away for nothing.
There's still decisions to be made on Albies, but it appears the Braves have at least chosen which path to begin walking on.
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