With the Braves 11 games under .500, all the talk around the organization is what they’ll do at the trade deadline. Most don’t expect them to be buyers, but will they be sellers? If they decide to wave the white flag, what will Alex Anthopoulos dangle on the market? The most attractive piece is unquestionably Ronald Acuna Jr.

Despite two ACL tears, he’s still one of the most talented players in baseball. You’d be hard-pressed to find a superstar on a more palatable second contract than Acuna, who is signed through the 2028 season at a team-friendly rate of $17 million per season.

Though he’s cooled off in recent weeks, Acuna is still boasting a slash line of .331/.450/.561 with 9 home runs in 40 games, good for an OPS that is north of 1.000 and 82% above league average. The Braves would be fools to trade him, but that hasn’t stopped national pundits and rival fan bases from peddling fan fiction. Bob Nightengale put an end to all the speculation.

“Atlanta has zero interest in trading Ronald Acuña Jr. Acuña is earning $17 million a year through 2026, and Atlanta has club options for $17 million in 2027 and 2028. He’s not going anywhere,” Nightengale wrote.

The Braves have never entertained a Ronald Acuna trade, and the only reason it’s been a conversation is because the club is expected to shed some talent at the deadline.

There will never be a world where the Braves trade the best player on the team. I don’t care how bad they are and how good the deal is.

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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire