Reasons to do it and do it this off-season:
1) On the right terms, it extents the team's competitive window beyond the six years we have him under control.
2) His skill set is going to be well rewarded by arbitration.
3) The arbitration process is also likely to reward him for high finishes in MVP voting.
4) Getting him signed on the right terms sends a signal to the other core players and will probably also make it easier to hold on to them on the team friendly terms.
5) There is a serious risk that waiting will just drive up the price. So do it this off-season if at all possible.
So what are the right terms. I am a Braves fan first and foremost and would like to see the terms be as team friendly as is realistically possible. With that in mind I would like to see a ten-year deal along these lines:
Year 1: 2M
Year 2: 4M
Year 3: 10M
Year 4: 13M
Year 5: 16M
Year 6: 19M
Year 7: 22M
Year 8: 24M
Year 9: 27M
Year 10: 30M
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