Ronald Acuña Jr. It’s no secret that I want a “for life” contract with the Braves.

 

 

Although he won’t be able to sign a free agency contract until after the 2026 season at the latest, reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. is already considering a long-term deal with the Atlanta Braves.

Speaking with reporters on Friday from spring training, Acuña expressed his desire to be a “brave for life” and expressed optimism that they might “make that happen soon.”

Acuña was the first player for the Braves to sign one of those adorable, team-friendly contracts that have grown increasingly typical for this franchise over time. At the start of his age-21 season on April 2, 2019, he signed an eight-year, $100 million contract.

He became the youngest player in Major League Baseball history to sign a contract valued at least $100 million, although it was already clear that the Braves would greatly benefit from the pact. He was coming off a season in which he hit.293/.366/.552 with 26 home runs in 111 games, winning him NL Rookie of the Year and placing him 12th in the NL MVP voting.

When the contract was announced, Acuña stated, “No, I have no regrets,” via an interpreter. “Nobody has access to the future. I’m thrilled with the choice we all made and I’m just pleased to be here since nobody knows what will happen tomorrow.”

After agreeing to the deal, Acuña has played in five seasons and has a slash line of.292/.384/.534 with 135 home runs and 164 stolen bases. With 217 hits, 73 stolen bases, and an on-base percentage of.416 last season, he led Major League Baseball.

Acuña won his first NL MVP award in 2023 and made MLB history by being the first player to have at least 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases in a single season.

Acuña is signed with the Braves through 2026 for a salary of $17 million each season. In addition, they have two $17 million team options expiring in 2027 and 2028.

Acuña will only be 30 years old in 2028, even if the Braves try to sign him to a contract until then. They would be better off negotiating a new contract now, as the cost would only go up when other players in the future sign lucrative deals.

In Acuña’s first six seasons, Atlanta has entered the playoffs every year and even won the World Series in 2021. He tore his ACL in a game against the Miami Marlins, which kept him out of the final 74 regular-season games and the postseason.