Ronald Acuña Jr. just entered a club they belong to Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Mike Trout. Before turning 29, he reached 1,000 hits, 200 home runs, 200 stolen bases and 500 RBIs. He also did so after missing a considerable number of games due to injuries.
It was precisely after learning about this feat that a question arose: should Acuña look for another extension with atlanta or wait for free agency?
I shared that question with several close friends, with whom one can spend hours talking about baseball. One responded to me that, financially, the most convenient thing for a star of that level is usually to test the market, although he would not be surprised if Acuña chose to stay because he has expressed several times his desire to continue in Atlanta. Another summed it up like this: “We would have to know the plans of the Braves in the medium and long term, because Acuña is a franchise player.”
I think that’s where the real discussion lies.
The time to decide has not yet come. Acuña has team options for 2027 and 2028 for $17 million each. If Atlanta exercises them, the Venezuelan would reach free agency after 2028, at 30 years old. By then, you will have every reason to listen to offers. But Atlanta will also have plenty of reasons to try to keep him.
Because there are excellent players, superstars and, from time to time, players appear who end up becoming the identity of a franchise. Jose Altuve is Houston, Derek Jeter was Yankees. And Acuña has a chance to become that for Atlanta.
Is he the right man?
In the MLB In today’s world, where stars change uniforms frequently, keeping a player who represents the team has enormous value. Acuña has talent, personality and connection with fans.
That doesn’t mean you should give money to Atlanta. If the Braves want him to be their franchise player, they should pay him as such.
Therefore, if 2028 arrives and Acuña is healthy and continues to be Acuña, my answer would be simple: listen to the market, but let Atlanta do everything possible so that he has no reason to leave.
Acuña can get a big contract anywhere. If Atlanta recognizes its value, why not have it build its entire history there?
