Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers rocked the sports world over the weekend when it was announced the two sides had come to an agreement on an unprecedented $700 million contract. It’s the biggest contract in North American sports history, and it’s one that should stand for quite some time.
The deal sets other elite players, like Juan Soto, up for a big payday when they hit free agency. Scott Boras, in particular, is licking his lips at the thought of holding a club like the Yankees’ feet to the fire for his client. Soto isn’t the only superstar who deserves a lucrative deal, though; the Braves’ own Ronald Acuna Jr. is in line to be extended.
Now, unlike Soto or Ohtani, Acuna isn’t anywhere close to free agency. He’s under team control through 2028, but the Braves shouldn’t be satisfied. Acuna should never wear another jersey again, and the sooner Alex Anthopoulos gets an extension done, the better it will be in the long run. So, what would a potential deal look like?
If you ask Big Papi, David Ortiz believes Ronald Acuna Jr. is worth $500 million.
David Ortiz: "Ronald Acuña Jr. deserves that the #Braves offer him a new contract. For me he is worth $500 million. He's a player who can do everything on the field", per @laurabonnellyv. pic.twitter.com/rd1Zq3INzd
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) December 13, 2023
If Acuna hits free agency five years from now, he’ll certainly fetch a contract similar to what Soto will receive in the $500 million range. Considering inflation and how contracts have continued to get even more massive year after year, the deal could be closer to Ohtani’s. Getting ahead of the curb could allow the Braves to lock it in at a much lower figure, perhaps in the $300-400 million range.
By the time Acuna’s original deal is up in 2028, his new deal will still be a bargain. The sooner the Braves get an extension done with the face of their franchise, the better.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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