The Braves announced that Dominic Smith and Kyle Farmer have been signed to Major League split contracts for the 2026 season. The two veterans were already in camp on minor league deals, but as Article XX(B) free agents, Smith and Farmer had the ability to opt out of their contracts five days before Opening Day if they weren’t added to the Braves’ Opening Day roster.
These new deals don’t guarantee that Smith and Farmer break camp with the club, as the nature of split contacts naturally gives Atlanta some flexibility in moving either player down to the minors while on a set salary. In essence, the Braves bought themselves some extra time in figuring out their 26-man roster while sidestepping the first Article XX(B) deadline. The Braves have two open spots on their 40-man roster, so they can easily accommodate officially selecting Smith and Farmer closer to the team’s first game.
From Smith and Farmer’s perspective, the split contracts lock in some guaranteed money, whether at the minor league level or if either indeed ends up on Atlanta’s 26-man. Rather than opt out and re-enter the uncertain free agent market, Smith and Farmer seem comfortable in staying with the Braves, as some opportunities may have arisen to help clear their path to roster spots.
Jurickson Profar will miss the entire season on a PED suspension, while Ha-Seong Kim will be out until at least through April while recovering from a torn finger tendon. The door may now be open for Smith to earn some at-bats as a left-handed hitting option for the DH spot, even if his usual first base spot is obviously filled by Matt Olson on an everyday basis. Smith has played in just one Major League game as an outfielder over the last four seasons, but he could get some occasional backup work if Ronald Acuna Jr. or Mike Yastrzemski needs a rest day.
For Farmer, Mauricio Dubon taking over the shortstop role in Kim’s absence means the Braves are short some versatile infield depth. Jorge Mateo and Brett Wisely are also competing for bench jobs and Eli White is expected to be the primary backup outfielder, and both Wisely and White are out of minor league options. The split contracts could then allow Atlanta to keep Wisely and White on the 26-man roster without having to try to sneak them through waivers, while Smith and Farmer are also both retained.
Martin Perez is another minor league signing in Atlanta’s camp, and MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports that Perez has been told he isn’t making the team. However, the veteran southpaw will forego his first Article XX(B) opt-out clause and remain in the organization as a Triple-A depth farm.
