What the Orlando Arcia Extension Means for Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake
Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos just couldn't help himself, as he got yet another extension done -- this time with the newly appointed starting shortstop Orlando Arica.
The deal, as discussed here, is for three years and a guaranteed total of $7.3 million with a fourth-year option.
Arcia provided solid depth for the Braves in 2022, especially after the injury to Ozzie Albies, and the Braves are hoping there might still be more in the tank as an everyday player.
The extension has already led to many Braves fans asking what this means for Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake and whether or not they could be traded.
This extension alone does not mean that either player is any more likely to be dealt than they were before the extension. Arcia will be getting paid bench-type money and that's still likely where he ends up.
If Grissom and/or Shewmake go down to AAA Gwinnett and continue to impress as they did in Spring Training, the Braves will gladly move Arcia to the bench in favor of either of them.
This is not a situation similar to Marcell Ozuna, where he keeps getting at-bats over more deserving players because he's getting paid a ton of money.
The Braves are paying Arcia at the rate for a backup player.
All of that being said, if there is a major upgrade to be made this season in the trade market, Grissom or Shewmake seem like the top candidates to be dealt.
Extending Arcia now gives them some insurance in case they do need to trade one of those players.
But the best case scenario for the Braves is still that Grissom continues to improve with the glove and Shewmake shows more with the bat and one of them quickly becomes the future shortstop of the team, moving Arcia back into a utility type role on the bench.
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