Ronald Acuña Jr.: No Secret That I Want Contract to Be with Braves 'for Life'

Reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. isn't set to become a free agent until after the 2026 season at the earliest, but he's already thinking about a contract that will keep him with the Atlanta Braves for a long time.

Speaking to reporters from spring training on Friday, Acuña said it's "not a secret" he wants to be "a Brave for life" and is hopeful they can "make that happen soon."

Acuña was the first Braves player who signed one of those sweetheart team-friendly deals that have become so common with this franchise over the years. He agreed to an eight-year, $100 million deal on April 2, 2019, when he was entering his age-21 season.

It made him the youngest player in MLB history to receive a contract worth at least $100 million, but it was already obvious that was going to be a great deal for the Braves. He was coming off a 2018 season that saw him win NL Rookie of the Year and finish 12th in NL MVP voting after hitting .293/.366/.552 with 26 homers in 111 games.

"No, I have no regrets," Acuña said through an interpreter at the time the deal was announced. "No one can see the future. No one knows what's going to happen tomorrow, so I'm extremely happy with the decision we've all made and I'm just excited to be here."

In five seasons since signing the contract, Acuña has posted a .292/.384/.534 slash line with 135 homers and 164 stolen bases. He led MLB with a .416 on-base percentage, 217 hits and 73 stolen bases last season.

Acuña became the first player in MLB history with at least 40 homers and 70 stolen bases in a single season during the 2023 campaign en route to winning his first NL MVP award.

The Braves have Acuña under contract for $17 million per season through 2026. They also have two team options worth $17 million for 2027 and 2028.

Even if the Braves wait until 2028 to try signing Acuña to an extension, he will only be 30 years old at that point. It would be in their best interest to negotiate a new deal now because the price tag will only increase as more superstars sign big-money contracts in future years.

Atlanta has made the playoffs in each of Acuña's first six seasons, including winning the World Series in 2021. He missed the final 74 games of the regular season and the entire postseason run after tearing his ACL during a game against the Miami Marlins.