ATLANTA — Ronald Acuña Jr.’s electrifying return from a second ACL tear has reignited the Atlanta Braves’ hopes for 2026, but it’s also sparked urgent calls to secure his future. The 27-year-old superstar, slashing .396/.500/.713 with nine homers in 101 at-bats since his May 2025 comeback, is proving he’s still the face of the franchise. With his eight-year, $100M contract nearing its end—$17M for 2026, plus $17M club options for 2027 and 2028—FanSided’s Mitchell Barbee argues the Braves must act now, proposing a 12-year, $300M extension to keep Acuña in Atlanta for life. As trade rumors fade and his All-Star form dazzles, GM Alex Anthopoulos faces a critical window to extend the 2023 NL MVP before his market value soars.
Acuña’s Resurgence: A Game-Changer for 2026
After missing nearly all of 2024 and the first two months of 2025 due to a left knee ACL tear, Acuña returned on May 23, 2025, homering on his first pitch—a 467-foot leadoff shot, the hardest-hit ball by a Brave this year (115.5 MPH exit velocity). In 95 games, he’s hit .336 with 14 homers, 26 RBIs, and a .912 OPS, earning a fifth All-Star start at Truist Park’s 2025 Midsummer Classic. “He’s the best player in baseball,” Barbee wrote, noting Acuña’s league-leading numbers despite limited play. His 40-70 season (41 HRs, 73 SBs in 2023) and career .291 average with 176 homers underscore his five-tool dominance, per MLB.com. X fans erupted: “Acuña’s back to MVP form—lock him up for life!” (15K likes).
The Contract Dilemma: $300M Blueprint
Acuña’s $100M deal, signed in 2019, is a bargain at $17M annually through 2026, with club options for 2027-28. Barbee suggests a 12-year, $300M extension ($25M AAV), restructuring the final guaranteed year and options to add $25M through 2028, securing Acuña through age 39. “The Braves need to act now,” Barbee urged, citing Acuña’s elite play and injury recovery as leverage before his value rivals Juan Soto’s $500M+ projections. Acuña’s love for Atlanta—“Outside of Venezuela, Atlanta is my second home,” per The Athletic—signals openness to a deal, but his 2024 comments hint he won’t wait until 2028. The Braves’ history of team-friendly extensions (Albies, Riley) supports a proactive move, though their reluctance for $350M+ megadeals is a hurdle.
Risks and Trade Context
Acuña’s injury history—ACL tears in 2021 and 2024, plus a 2025 calf strain limiting him to 55 games by August—raises durability concerns. Trade rumors swirled pre-deadline, with MLB Network’s Joel Sherman proposing a Mariners deal for prospects, but The Athletic’s David O’Brien called trading Acuña “the dumbest thing” due to his popularity and .912 OPS. Jim Bowden’s July 11 X post confirmed Atlanta’s refusal to entertain offers, cementing Acuña as untouchable. Still, a thin farm system and 2025’s 75-84 record pressure Anthopoulos to lock in core players like Acuña, whose $24M net worth reflects his marketability, per EssentiallySports.
Recommendation: Extend Now, Avoid Free Agency
Anthopoulos should offer a 10-year, $250M deal ($25M AAV), balancing Acuña’s elite production with injury risks. This secures him through 2035, aligns with Atlanta’s budget (avoiding $350M+ deals), and preempts a 2028 free-agency frenzy where he could command $40M AAV. Pairing Acuña with Ha-Seong Kim’s potential $90M extension and a Pete Fairbanks trade strengthens the lineup and bullpen, offsetting losses like Max Fried. Waiting risks losing leverage, as Acuña’s .341/.460/.585 late-season surge suggests he’s back to 2023 MVP form.
