Well, here’s an interesting offseason twist—Adam Duvall, a key piece of the Atlanta Braves’ 2021 World Series-winning squad, is making it clear. If he doesn’t get at least $3 million in guaranteed money, he’s hanging up the cleats.
According to The New York Post, the veteran outfielder already turned down a $1 million offer from the Kansas City Royals, including another $1 million in incentives. That’s a bold move for a guy coming off a rough 2023 season in which he hit just .182 with 11 home runs.
But Duvall isn’t willing to take a discount just to keep playing. He wants the same $3 million paycheck he earned with Atlanta last season, or he’ll call it a career.
A Power Bat With a Braves Championship Pedigree
Duvall, now 36, isn’t the player he was a few years ago, but he’s still a known commodity with pop in his bat.
He was a major contributor during the Braves’ 2021 World Series run, launching 38 home runs that year and taking home a Gold Glove for his work in the right field. His performance included a grand slam in Game 5 of the Fall Classic, cementing his place in franchise lore.
Even in his decline, he’s still been productive in spots. His overall numbers last season were far from impressive. However, he managed to hit .252 against left-handed pitching. That metric could still make him a useful platoon bat for the right team.
He’s also sitting on 195 career home runs—just five shy of joining the 200-homer club if he gets another shot.
The Veteran Pay Crunch
Duvall’s stance echoes the growing frustration among aging players who feel like they’re being squeezed out of the game.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo, another 35-year-old free agent, recently voiced a similar complaint. He was telling The Athletic that he’s rejected lowball offers that are barely above the league minimum of $760,000.
“You’re almost trying to ruin the market for the next guy,” Rizzo said. “If teams are not going to want to pay a few million dollars for veterans, I’ve seen it the last 10 years of my career. It’s what happens to the older guys. They kind of get squeezed.”
And squeezed they have been. Teams increasingly prioritize younger, cheaper talent over aging veterans whose production is harder to predict. That’s why players like Duvall, despite a solid track record, are finding it tough to land guaranteed deals at the price they expect.
Will Duvall Get His Asking Price?
The question now is whether any team sees enough value in Duvall to meet his $3 million demand. His power and defense still have some appeal. But, his struggles at the plate last season make him a tough sell at that price point.
With spring training already underway, the clock is ticking. Duvall may have already played his last big-league game if no team steps up.
If someone takes a chance on him, he’ll get one more shot to prove he still has something left in the tank.
