Ronald Acuña Jr., the rising star of the Atlanta Braves, concluded the season with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases, making history as the first 40/70 player in baseball history. He was also elected the National League MVP of that season. He topped baseball in hits (217), runs (149), and total bases (383), hitting.337/.416/.596 overall. In all of baseball history, it was the best power/speed season ever.
Acuña, who turned 26 in December, is the best deal in sports because of the eight-year, $100 million agreement he signed in April 2019. With $17 million in club options for 2027 and 2028, Atlanta’s debt to Acuña is merely $17 million per year from 2024 to 2026. The Braves will only pay him $85 million for his age 26–30 seasons, assuming those are selected. As I mentioned, a deal.
Acuña expressed his desire to play for the Braves for the remainder of his career on Friday and implied, if not explicitly, that he would like to extend his contract. It’s no secret that my goal in life is to be a Brave. I hope we can accomplish it quickly,” Acuña stated to The Athletic. It’s evident from that that Acuña is expressing his desire for a new contract. There’s not much of a mystery there.
Acuña would have started his walk year right now had he not signed his extension. He wouldn’t have needed to shoot 40/70 in order to command a $400 million contract the next offseason. With his age, background, and current play, Acuña might have been in line for $500 million the next offseason. It’s rare to find players this good and this young.
The Braves possess Acuña for a further five years, so there’s no need to hurry into an extension. It’s also demonstrated that they will allow players—such as well-known and exceptional players like Dansby Swanson and Freddie Freeman—to depart if the terms aren’t favorable. Essentially, Atlanta won’t have room for you if you refuse to accept the bargain. Acuña’s leverage is limited, and the Braves know it.
Adding eight years and $300 million to Acuña’s existing contract would theoretically carry him through to his 38th season. With an average annual value of $37.5 million over eight years and $300 million, it would be the second-highest in position player history, only surpassed by Aaron Judge’s $40 million annually. The average annual value period would rank fifth.
Acuña’s current contract would be extended by eight years and $300 million, for a total of 13 years and $385 million, which would span his age range of 26 to 38 seasons. In contrast, Bryce Harper’s salary for the 26–38 age range is $330 million. That portion of Manny Machado’s career will bring approximately $335 million in income. That comes to $459.75 million for Mike Trout. Although excellent, Acuña is not a Trout in his early career.