The Braves won’t be extending Ronald Acuna Jr.’s deal in the near future.
Ronald Acuna Jr. expressed his desire to conclude his career with the Atlanta Braves to reporters on Friday. However, if you are familiar with the Braves, you are aware that this is unlikely to occur.
It’s no secret that my goal in life is to be a Brave. I’m hoping we can accomplish it quickly,” Acuna stated to The Athletic’s David O’Brien.
It’s understandable that Acuna, the National League MVP winner from the previous year, is making vague references to extending his deal. This would have been the last year he was under contract with Atlanta. We can see by his ability to fool opposing pitchers that he is neither blind nor stupid. However, he also observes the large contracts that his colleagues have inked, like as Shohei Ohtani, the American League MVP from the previous season, who recently inked a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
Let’s not go overboard and claim that Acuna is in any way Ohtani. Acuna hasn’t even touched the pitcher’s mound, really. However, following his incredible year in 2023, when he broke and set records—most notably, his 40/70 feat of home runs (41) and stolen bases (73)—had Acuna not signed an 8-year, $100 million extension back in 2019, he would have become the talk of the town this coming season, much like Ohtani did in his walk year with the Angels the previous year.
This season, the outstanding right fielder will make $17 million, the lowest salary by a wide measure among players similar to him in terms of age, contract status, and statistical output. These guys include Trea Turner ($31.2 million), Rafael Devers ($31.35 million), Carlos Correa ($33.33 million), and Francisco Lindor ($34.1 million), according to Spotrac.
Astute baseball fans understand that the Braves are acquiring Acuna for a steep discount. Deals that are advantageous to teams are often given out by Atlanta. At least seven of their players, including Acuna, have contracts that will keep them wearing Braves outfits for six, seven, eight, or ten years. With a 10-year, $212 million contract and an average salary of $21.2 million each season, Austin Riley has the longest and most lucrative agreement.
“Are you aware of the frightening aspect? On Friday, Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters in Bally Sports South, “He’s at an age where he’s going to get better.”
And when the Braves signed him to an extension back in 2019, at the age of just 21, they knew full well that. Even though he is currently 26 years old, entering his prime years, and having recently experienced his finest year to date statistically, is there still room for improvement?
Acuna is trying to stay ahead of the curve, just like he does in the batter’s box. This is ironically how Atlanta handled his 2019 contract, leaving the Braves plenty of time to work on an extension, should they decide to pursue it. When Juan Soto, an outfielder with the New York Yankees, hits free agency following the 2019 season, Acuna and the Braves will be watching to see what kind of deal he accepts or demands.
History tells us that the Yankees will cover the costs; the Braves won’t. Over the past two years, Acuna has had to watch two of his teammates—first baseman Freddie Freeman and shortstop Dansby Swanson—join other teams. Both players were thought to be Braves lifelong players, just like Acuna aspires to be.
As much as Acuna would prefer to curry favor with Braves executives like general manager Alex Anthopoulos, the reality is that the franchise operates on its own terms and has no issues with players leaving to join other teams. This is particularly true for older athletes searching for long-term contracts.
The Braves allowed Swanson to sign with the Cubs at age 29, and they let Freeman, who was 31, to join the Dodgers. If Acuna’s club options for 2027 and 2028 are selected by the Braves, he will turn 31 the following year and become a free agent.
It would seem that an extension of eight to ten years, at a cost of $300 to 380 million, would be appropriate if Acuna wanted to end his career in Atlanta. The Braves are quite unlikely to even consider making such an offer.
Returning to Riley, he will be 37 years old when he signs a free agency contract after spending $212 million over ten years. If you want to play for Atlanta, you have to go the Braves’ route, which is to sign young players to shorter-term, long-term contracts and then ask them to accept extensions that are less than market value later on, unless there is a significant shift in the organization’s upper management. However, it’s also critical to keep in mind that the Braves are a publicly traded business as of July 2023. That implies that they reinvest every dollar they make back into the group. The problem is that Acuna might not be a member of the team in the future since the Braves might not want to pay him a significant amount of their salary.
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