How Much Will the Braves Have to Pay Ronald Acuña Jr. When His Contract Extension Comes?

This discussion has been brewing for a while, but with recent absurd contracts being handed out across Major League Baseball, the question is becoming more pressing: How much are the Atlanta Braves going to have to pay Ronald Acuña Jr. when the time comes for a new deal?

For the next three years, Acuña’s salary remains a manageable $17 million. While that seemed like a bargain even before he won the 2023 MVP, it looks like an absolute steal now, especially considering the record-breaking contracts other players have received — some of whom Acuña may be better than.

The Market’s Inflation of Acuña’s Value

Let’s start with Juan Soto, whose $765 million contract with the Mets this past offseason raised the ceiling for top-tier outfielders. Soto’s $51 million annual average salary is now a standard against which many other players are compared. The fact that Soto is an outfielder — like Acuña — automatically boosts Acuña’s value.

Earlier in the offseason, Kyle Schwarber, a designated hitter, also managed to secure a $30 million-per-year deal. This deal raised eyebrows because Schwarber doesn’t even play in the field, yet he is being paid as one of the highest earners in the game. This development, though surprising, also highlights the trend where the market for power-hitting players has escalated rapidly, especially when compared to traditional positions.

The most recent examples of inflated salaries came when Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which comes out to an average of $60 million per year. Bo Bichette also reached a deal with the Mets worth $42 million per year, a staggering figure for a player without a strong defensive reputation or MVP credentials.

What This Means for Acuña’s Future Salary

At this point, it’s not hard to recognize that Acuña is due for a contract extension that will likely exceed all of these deals. The main question is when the Braves will pull the trigger, and how much the contract will cost them when it happens.

Let’s be clear: Acuña is already underpaid by the standards set by players like Soto, Tucker, and Bichette. Acuña has an MVP award, multiple All-Star appearances, and a much better defensive profile than some of the players making more money than him. Aaron Judge, the reigning AL MVP and a two-time winner, is now making just $40 million per year, a figure that’s now being surpassed by players with no MVP accolades to their name.

To put it in perspective, Acuña’s 2023 MVP season was historic. Despite not even playing a full season (missing time until late May), Acuña surged to lead the Braves in multiple categories and cement himself as one of the game’s elite players. His performance in the All-Star Game, where he was a starter alongside Tucker, demonstrated just how good he can be when healthy.

The Braves’ Genius Move and the Growing Cost

The Braves’ decision to lock down Acuña in 2019 with an incredible 10-year, $124 million contract was an absolute masterstroke. Not only did they secure one of the most dynamic players in the game for an extended period, but they did so at a fraction of what he could be earning now. That contract, however, is approaching its end, and it’s only a matter of time before the Braves have to pay the price for getting a deal that was as team-friendly as it was.

As Acuña enters his prime and proves himself to be one of the faces of MLB, the Braves are staring down the inevitability of a mega-extension. The longer they wait, the more that extension is going to cost them. A three-time MVP and the face of the Braves cannot stay undervalued forever.

The Risks of Waiting: Free Agency Looms

The biggest danger the Braves face is the possibility of Acuña testing free agency if they don’t extend him soon. While Acuña has expressed a desire to stay in Atlanta, the longer the Braves wait, the more likely it becomes that he might want to see what the open market offers. If Acuña ever reaches free agency, it’s almost certain that multiple suitors, including teams with deep pockets like the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Mets, will be lining up to make a massive offer.

Why the Braves Might Wait

Of course, there’s an argument for the Braves to wait a bit longer before making an extension offer. The upcoming collective bargaining agreement could change things dramatically. There’s a possibility of a salary cap being introduced by the league, which would restrict how much teams can spend. If that happens, the Braves could use their remaining control over Acuña to their advantage, delaying an extension to see if the market changes.

If the league moves to a salary cap system, waiting might help the Braves secure Acuña for a lower cost than if they were to offer him an extension today. On the other hand, if no cap is implemented, the Braves could end up paying top dollar for Acuña, but still be locked into a favorable deal compared to what other players are earning.

The Bottom Line: Pay the Piper

Whether the Braves wait for the CBA changes or act quickly, Acuña’s payday is coming. If the Braves are smart, they’ll lock him up sooner rather than later, avoiding the risk of losing him or having to pay even more as the salary market continues to rise. Acuña is a generational talent, and the Braves should prioritize keeping him in Atlanta for the long term.

Given the current landscape of baseball contracts and the rise in salaries for star players, the Braves may find themselves having to pay a premium for one of the game’s biggest superstars. And with Acuña being only 25 years old, it’s likely that he’s just getting started.

The question isn’t whether Acuña deserves a record-breaking contract — it’s how much longer the Braves can afford to wait before paying the piper.