1.
The Atlanta Braves have been one of the most successful teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) over the past few decades. They have had sustained success since the mid-1990s and have won the National League (NL) East Division 15 times since 1995, including five consecutive division titles from 2013-2018. Along with their on-field success, the Braves have also been able to offer some of the highest salaries in baseball. In this article, we will look at how much money Atlanta Braves players make and what that means for their financial security.
Average Salaries of Atlanta Braves Players
According to data from the MLB Players Association, the average salary of an Atlanta Braves player in 2020 was $8.2 million. This figure is slightly above the league average of $7.8 million and makes the Braves the third-highest-paying team in the NL East, behind the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.
The highest-paid player on the Braves in 2020 was first baseman Freddie Freeman, who earned $21 million. Freeman is one of several Braves players who have signed large contracts in recent years. The team also has two of the highest-paid pitchers in baseball in Mike Foltynewicz and Julio Teheran, who together earned $29 million in 2020.
Salary By Position
The average salary of an Atlanta Braves player varies by position. Pitchers tend to earn the most, as they are usually the most important players on the team. The average salary of an Atlanta Braves pitcher in 2020 was $8.9 million. This figure is significantly higher than the league average of $6.7 million, due in part to the large contracts that Foltynewicz and Teheran have signed in recent years.
The average salary of an Atlanta Braves position player in 2020 was $7.6 million, which is slightly below the league average of $7.9 million. However, as mentioned earlier, the team has several players who have signed large contracts, such as Freeman and third baseman Josh Donaldson.
Salary Trends
The average salary of an Atlanta Braves player has increased significantly over the past decade. In 2010, the average Braves player earned just $3.6 million, which was below the league average of $3.9 million. The team’s payroll has grown steadily since then, reaching a peak of $136 million in 2020.
The team’s payroll has grown at a faster rate than the league average, which has also increased significantly over the past decade. The average Major League Baseball player earned $4.4 million in 2010 and $7.8 million in 2020. This means that the average salary of an Atlanta Braves player has increased by more than double the rate of the league average.
Revenue and Attendance
The Atlanta Braves have seen a steady increase in their revenue and attendance in recent years, which has allowed them to sign more expensive players. The team generated $387 million in revenue in 2019 and drew more than 2.6 million fans to their home games. This was the second-highest attendance figure in the NL East, behind only the Philadelphia Phillies.
The team’s revenue and attendance figures have been helped by the opening of SunTrust Park in 2017 and the new Braves Live entertainment district in 2019. Both of these developments have helped to attract more fans to the team’s games and have generated additional revenue for the team.
Benefits of High Salaries
The high salaries of Atlanta Braves players provide them with many benefits. The most obvious of these is financial security. Players who sign large contracts with the team are guaranteed to make a significant amount of money, regardless of their performance on the field.
The high salaries of Atlanta Braves players also provide them with an opportunity to invest in their futures. Players can use their salaries to invest in real estate, stocks, and other investments that can provide a secure retirement. Additionally, players can use their salaries to start businesses or pursue other opportunities that can help them secure their financial future.
Minimum Salary Requirements
The minimum salary requirement for a Major League Baseball player is currently $563,500. All Atlanta Braves players must be paid at least this amount, regardless of their performance. This minimum salary requirement helps to ensure that all players in the league are paid a fair wage and provides some financial security to players who may not be making as much money as the team’s stars.
Endorsements
In addition to their salaries, many Atlanta Braves players also earn money through endorsements and other off-field activities. The team’s stars, such as Freeman and Donaldson, have endorsement deals with brands such as Nike, Gatorade, and New Era. These deals provide players with additional income that can further secure their financial future.
Conclusion
The Atlanta Braves have been consistently successful over the past few decades, and their success has enabled them to offer some of the highest salaries in Major League Baseball. The average salary of an Atlanta Braves player in 2020 was $8.2 million, slightly above the league average of $7.8 million. The team has several players who have signed large contracts in recent years, such as Freeman and Foltynewicz, and their high salaries provide them with financial security and the opportunity to invest in their futures. Off-field activities, such as endorsements, can also provide players with additional income. Ultimately, the high salaries of Atlanta Braves players has been a major factor in their success on the field.