The Atlanta Braves have extended their young superstar and the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year, Ronald Acuna.
The extension is officially for eight years and $100 million, but also includes two club options that could bring the deal to 10 years and $124 million, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN:
BREAKING: Outfielder Ronald Acuña and the Atlanta Braves are finalizing an eight-year, $100 million contract extension, league sources tell ESPN. The deal includes two club options.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 2, 2019
All in all, the Braves get Ronald Acuña Jr. for the next 10 years at a maximum of $124 million. It is the sort of deal teams dream of.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 2, 2019
Assuming the Braves would pick up both club options, a $12.4 million AAV over the life of the deal seems like an absolute steal for a player that registered a 3.7 fWAR at the age of 20 last season.
Although this extension–which will begin next season–will pay Acuna more than in the early years than he would have received under team control or in his first year in arbitration, it also bypasses his first few years of free agency.
In 111 games with the Braves last season, Acuna hit 26 homers and stole 16 bases while slugging .552 and posting a wRC+ of 143, which would have been eighth in all of baseball had he had enough at-bats to qualify.
Despite rating as a slightly below-average defender last season (although he did register four Defensive Runs Saved), Acuna suffered a shoulder injury in May that many in the Braves organization said made him more cautious in the outfield throughout the rest of the season.
Given his blend of power and speed, Acuna is a true five-tool player. Atlanta will need increased production from their young superstar if they hope to maintain their spot atop a crowded NL East.
But with their 21-year-old locked up for (likely) the next decade, the Braves' foundation is set.
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