Reports: Braves to sign superstar outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to $100M extension
Ronald Acuña Jr. is not going anywhere.
The reigning National League Rookie of the Year and the Atlanta Braves are finalizing an eight-year, $100 million extension with two club options, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The maximum value of the contract could rise to $124 million if the team picks up the $17 million options.
The deal also includes a $10 million buyout.
The Braves have not confirmed the deal.
Locking up one of the sport’s brightest young stars throughout his 20s — especially with the bargain-basement cost of the two club options as MLB revenues continue to skyrocket, not to mention adjustments for inflation — at essentially $12.4 million annually should be considered nothing short of a coup for Atlanta’s front office. In an offseason where front offices committed approximately $4 billion in extensions, Acuña might be the steal of group.
At 21 years old, Acuña is the youngest player to ever sign a contract worth at least $100 million guaranteed.
Ronald Acuña Jr. will be the youngest player in baseball history to sign a contract worth $100M+ guaranteed.
— Zach Dillard (@Zach_Dillard) April 2, 2019
The Venezuelan product altered the franchise’s fortunes almost immediately upon arrival during the 2018 season, spearheading the second-half push to the organization’s first National League East championship since 2014.
Acuña slashed .293/.366/.552 en route to posting 3.7 wins above replacement as a 20-year-old — one of only 12 players to ever hit 40 percent above league average (minimum of 250 plate appearances) before turning 21 years old.
Acuña joins Freddie Freeman and Ender Inciarte as the only Braves players guaranteed non-buyout contracts after the 2019 season, though the team is stocked with young, controllable standouts and top prospects capable of contributing to contending well into the next decade.
Somebody call @NASA.
Reigning NL Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuña Jr. just sent a baseball into orbit for his first home run of the 2019 season. pic.twitter.com/2H6XO0036k
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) April 2, 2019
