The Atlanta Braves are reportedly picking up three of their four club options. Mark Bowman tweeted that Atlanta plans on exercising their club options on Aaron Bummer, Travis d’Arnaud, and Marcell Ozuna in 2025. Luke Jackson is the only player left of the four club options we haven’t heard a decision on. We’ll run down a bit of the easy logic on why Atlanta picked up the options on Ozuna and d’Arnaud. Then we’ll focus on why the Braves picked up Aaron Bummer’s $7.25 million option.

Mark Bowman Tweets Braves Plan to Exercise Options for Ozuna, Bummer, and d’Arnaud in 2025

https://twitter.com/mlbbowman/status/1842232003032162544

Why Braves Picked up $16 Million Option on Marcell Ozuna

Marcell Ozuna’s option is a no-brainer. $16 million for one of the best hitters in baseball is an extreme value. Ozuna hit .302 with 39 HRs and 104 RBIs. His OPS+ was 154 in 2024!

Why Braves Picked up $8 Million Option on Travis d’Arnaud

Having two quality catchers on your roster is a luxury the Braves won’t have to go without. Travis d’Arnaud was the better hitter last season. Sean Murphy began the 2024 season with an oblique injury and he was out until May. He had the worst offensive season of his career. Murphy came into the 2024 season with a career 118 OPS+ and finished last year with a 76 OPS+. d’Arnaud hit 15 homers and 48 RBI in 307 at-bats for Atlanta in 2024. d’Arnaud will wear a Braves uniform for the sixth season in 2025, his age-36 season.

TDA is a veteran leader who represents more than just a backup catcher. He has the ability to take over and carry the position when Murphy is injured or struggling, which has unfortunately (mostly) been the case during Murph’s time in Atlanta thus far.

Braves Have Not Announced a Decision on Luke Jackson’s $7 Million Option

Luke Jackson seems to be an obvious “no” after posting a 5.09 ERA in 2024. His option is $7 million in 2025. However, I will add that his ERA with Atlanta (traded from SFG) was 4.50 and his FIP with the Braves was 3.72.

Why Braves Picked up $7.25 Million Option on Aaron Bummer

Aaron Bummer was the option some seemed to be on the fence on, when reading social media comments (not recommended). Bummer had a solid first season with Atlanta after being acquired from the White Sox. I really like Aaron Bummer and what he brings to the Braves. First of all, A.J. Minter is an unrestricted free agent and Bummer can step right in as a high-leverage lefty. Bummer is an extreme groundball pitcher, he has a career 64.4% groundball rate (MLB average was 42.2% in 2024). Bummer finished the 2024 season with a 58.1% groundball rate.

Whilst inducing loads of groundballs for the infielders to gobble up, Bummer also racked up the strikeouts. Bummer struck out 69 batters over 55.1 innings pitched (11.2 K/9). He walked just 2.9 hitters per nine innings in 2024, which was the best number he has put up since he had a 2.8 BB/9 in 2018.

He had a really good season for Atlanta in 2024. His 3.58 ERA appeared to be inflated due to some bad luck, which is supported by his .388 BABIP. Bummer’s FIP was a phenomenal 2.23. He’s a fantastic left-handed option out of the bullpen. He gets an obscene amount of both groundballs and strikeouts.

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Below, you can watch Aaron Bummer discuss his unconventional two-seam fastball grip. He developed it by watching Zack Britton while dining at Applebee’s. As someone who loves two-seamers, the Braves, and Applebee’s, I highly recommend this video.

2025 Atlanta Braves Roster Resources

• Why Braves Won’t Re-Sign Max Fried
• 2025 MLB Free Agents
• Top 10 Free Agent Starting Pitchers in 2025
• Rating 10 Largest SP Contracts in MLB History
• 8 Atlanta Braves Free Agents | 4 Club Options
• 2025 Atlanta Braves Roster (41 Players Under Team Control)
• How does the Competitive Balance Tax Work?
• Atlanta Braves Trade Rumors
• Atlanta Braves Offseason Transaction Tracker