2027 estimated arbitration salaries for the Atlanta Braves

The Braves are smack dab in the middle of their postseason run, so we don’t want to discuss the offseason too much.

But MLB Trade Rumors did release its arbitration estimates for 2027 — one of the most useful articles every year. So let’s take a look at some of those numbers for the Atlanta Braves, with some brief notes on which guys could potentially be non-tendered.

Braves 2027 Arbitration Estimates

• Dylan Lee (4.150): $4.2MM
• James Karinchak (4.130): $1.1MM
• Joey Wentz (3.166): $900K
• Michael Grove (3.122): $1MM
• Luke Williams (3.070): $900K
• Bryce Elder (3.069): $4MM

Bryce Elder and Dylan Lee are the two biggest names this year, and there is probably a case for the Braves to non-tender them both. Lee was amazing throughout the first half of the season, but from July 2nd to the end of the regular season, he posted a 5.90 ERA.

My guess is that at $4.2 million, the Braves don’t think too long about handing him that money. Atlanta is already pretty thin when it comes to left-handed relievers, and Lee’s track record remains very solid, recording a 2.89 ERA over 269 relief appearances with the club.

The decision on Bryce Elder is much more difficult. He had a nice bounce-back campaign, recording a 4.11 ERA over 26 starts. The Braves probably aren’t in the position they are in today without him, and $4 million for a starting pitcher is chump change — even if Elder is nothing more than an innings eater.

However, what the Braves will really have to decide is whether Elder is going to have a role on the major-league club come Opening Day next season. A lot of that will likely depend on the health of some of their currently injured starting pitchers, as well as how they feel about some of their prospect arms that are on the cusp of being major-league ready. I would lean towards Elder being around in 2027 because the Braves do like him, but I wouldn’t say it’s a guarantee.

The other four, whether they are non-tendered or not, are very unlikely to have much of an impact on the Braves’ 2027 team.

Luke Williams has been around the club for the last several years, offering quality speed and positional versatility. For $900k, I could see the Braves holding onto him for organizational depth purposes.

James Karinchak appeared in nine games for the Braves, and his 1.86 ERA suggests he’s definitely worth $1.1 million. However, it’s evident the Braves never really saw much in him given how little they used him.

Joey Wentz tore his ACL during Spring Training, so the decision on him will likely come down to health.