Braves reportedly face tough $140M Drake Baldwin contract decision following sizzling start originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves are off to a sizzling start in 2026, and there doesn’t seem to be any sign of them slowing down as they continue to grow their division lead. Atlanta is the only team in baseball that has yet to lose a series. A big reason for that success has been catcher Drake Baldwin, who is already drawing comparisons to former Braves legend Brian McCann.
“Some of the characteristics Baldwin and McCann share are pretty simple. Both are power-hitting catchers who are left-handed hitters. Both players were also relatively early draft picks by the Braves, with McCann being a second-round pick out of Duluth High School while Baldwin was selected in the third round out of Missouri State. Both players also spent around three seasons in the minor leagues as well, although McCann debuted at a younger age thanks to being drafted out of high school. Given what we are seeing right now, that bodes extremely well for Baldwin's future projection. McCann would go on to make seven All-Star teams and win six Silver Sluggers. Baldwin is already being predicted by some to become one of the best catchers in baseball this season,” HTHB’s Eric Cole wrote.
Baldwin’s breakout performance is quickly increasing his value. If the Braves want to extend him, they may need to act sooner rather than later. At this point, a potential extension could reach around $140 million.
“However, if you don't give Baldwin an extension soon and he keeps playing well, the Braves could be priced out of keeping him altogether. As for what a Baldwin extension could/should look like, that is trickier to project. At one point last offseason, there was the idea of looking into an extension like the one that Tyler Soderstrom signed. That ship has sailed, full stop. Atlanta won't want to pull up the Brinks truck for a guy that doesn't even hit arbitration until 2028, but it is not crazy at all to think that Will Smith's $140 million guarantee from the Dodgers over, say, nine years might be the floor for Baldwin at the moment,” Cole wrote.
Baldwin has emerged as one of the best young stars in the game, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos has a track record of locking up young talent early. It wouldn’t come cheap for Atlanta, but it appears to be well worth the investment.
Rather than experiencing a sophomore slump, Baldwin has elevated his game this season and continues to be a major contributor for the Braves. While early extensions always carry some risk, Baldwin has already shown signs of being a reliable long-term piece for the franchise.