Acuña, the 2023 National League Most Valuable Player, told reporters he hopes to stay with the team Atlanta Braves for the rest of his career during a media session with reporters upon his arrival in North Port, Fla., for spring training on Friday.
“It's no secret that I want to be brave for life. I hope I can stay here forever, and I hope we can achieve that soon,” Acuña said while speaking through a translator, according to what was reported by the British newspaper “Daily Mail”. Atlanta Braves Beat writer Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
Ronald Acuña Jr. says he wants to stay with the Atlanta Braves for his entire career.
Brett Davis/USA Today Sports
Acuña signed an eight-year, $100 million extension in April 2019, a deal that is set to pay him about $85 million for his 26-30 year.
But the value of the Braves star has increased significantly since then, especially after his monster 2023 campaign, which saw him record a 1.012 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) while becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases in a single season.
In other words, if Atlanta feels the same way as Acuña and wants him to wear a Braves uniform long-term, they'll have to pay.
Acuña hit 161 home runs, 180 stolen bases and a slash line of .292/.381/.537 in six career MLB seasons.
