Just last month, Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos made a strong declaration. With the MLB trade deadline closing in, he revealed the team would not be selling this season. But that claim was just not enough to put an end to all the trade talk surrounding Ronald Acuña Jr.
For the record, ever since Acuna has been back in the lineup, he’s simply amazed the league. Across 35 games, he’s slammed 9 home runs with a .350 batting average. Just to add, he’ll also be at this season’s All-Star festivities in Atlanta.
Just recently, a former MLB star and current broadcaster, Carlos Peña, gave interesting advice to the Braves around Acuna’s potential trade. Speaking with MLB Now, he said, “I would definitely entertain that if I were the Braves.” The former first baseman is aligned with the idea of trading Acuna.
“I would definitely entertain that, if I were the Braves.”@PenaCarlos23 shares his thoughts on whether Atlanta should consider trading Ronald Acuña Jr. https://t.co/uB5rbRz9WN pic.twitter.com/rEJ8NjZrdb
— MLB Now (@MLBNow) July 2, 2025
“If I’m another team to acquire a player like Acuna, that will make a difference immediately,” Peña added. It’s actually Acuna’s impact. “If he’s healthy, you see what he’s capable of doing. Coming in the limelight, coming in the postseason, he would be the difference maker.” He has got a point.
Even after missing the first 49 games of the season due to a knee injury, Acuna has still managed to prove himself as one of the most elite players in the game.
Since Acuna has signed with the Braves, the team has won numerous NL East titles and even a World Series trophy. However, so far this season, with 39-46, the braves haven’t lived up to the usual standards. It has led many to believe that Acuna belongs elsewhere.
That brings us to the question: Is Acuna willing to leave Atlanta?
How secure is Acuna’s future with the Atlanta Braves?
Ronald Acuna Jr. made his debut for the Braves back in 2018 and since then he’s been the face of the franchise. Jeff Francoeur, the former Braves outfielder, recently stated that he believes Acuna happens to be the most talented player in the history of the organization.
If we keep the occasional drama between Acuna and skipper Brian Snitker aside, overall Acuna has always expressed his love for the Braves. Time and again, he has shared that he wishes to spend the remainder of his major league career in Atlanta.
The 27 year old’s contract is just two seasons away from reaching the club option. With Alex Anthopoulos as GM, it’s hard to believe that the Braves would do anything about that option and curate a new contract.
The Braves are underperforming right now and if they continue to do so, the front office will have no option but to make big changes. That could include shipping off Acuna to free up their salary space. Acuna’s situation also makes us recall what happened to Dansby Swanson and Freddie Freeman. Both were elite and were willing to stay in Atlanta. Yet, the front office didn’t meet their demands.
So, while it’s good news to the Braves nation that Acuna wishes to stay, that alone doesn’t guarantee his stay.
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