Another MLB season, another $500+ million contract. The latest being Vlad Guerrero, who inked a 14-year, $500 million deal with the Blue Jays. So, how does it impact the Braves? Ronald Acuña Jr., that’s how.
The Braves superstar inked an eight-year, $100 million contract with Atlanta after his first professional season. It looked like highway robbery after Acuna won the MVP unanimously in 2023, but last season was the perfect example of the two sides of every coin.
When Acuna tore his ACL for the second time, it was a stark reminder that the Braves are taking on a lot of risk. Cashing in early on generational wealth is never a terrible idea for the player, and in Acuna’s case, he’ll still have another chance to sign a lucrative contract in the prime of his career. His current contract runs through the 2028 season, allowing him to hit free agency ahead of his age-31 season. While that’s older than Guerrero is right now, it still should line Acuna up for a big payday.
Considering the current trajectories of MLB contracts, another 10+ year contract worth over $400 million for Acuna is in the realm of possibilities. Whether the Braves will pony up when that time comes is another thing entirely. The Braves could potentially get out in front of his free agency and ink him to a similar extension in the coming years, but it’s not necessarily cut and dry with a player that has now torn both of his ACLs.
In another vein, the Braves can see Vlad Guerrero’s deal and feel great about Matt Olson’s contract, which pays the first baseman $168 million over eight years, despite having similar production as the new $500 million man in Toronto.
From 2021 to 2024, Vlad Guerrero has averaged a .293/.370/.517 slash line with 34 home runs and an .887 OPS per season. While Olson has slashed .260/.355/.519 with 39 homers and an .874 OPS per season.
The Blue Jays’ first baseman has been slightly more productive offensively, but his average annual salary is over $35 million per season, compared to Olson’s $21 million AAV. The Braves have to feel good about that.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
