As spring training kicks off in Atlanta, the Braves are already dealing with a few injury concerns-but here’s the silver lining: Ronald Acuña Jr. is not on that list. For a team with championship aspirations and a fanbase that’s seen Acuña’s brilliance up close, the sight of their superstar entering the season fully healthy is exactly the kind of headline they want to see.
Acuña, one of the most electrifying players in the game, still has three years left on his current contract. So, technically, there’s no rush.
But when you have a generational talent like this, the clock always feels like it’s ticking a little louder. That’s the thinking from former MLB GM Jim Bowden, who made waves recently with his take on Acuña’s future-and why the Braves should act now if they want to keep him long-term without breaking the bank.
“Do it right now and do not wait until he has an MVP season,” Bowden said during a recent MLB Network Radio segment. “Because if he has an MVP season, he’s gonna be $800 million a year from now. Or he’s gonna be $75 million a year for five years with an opt-out.”
Now, Bowden’s numbers are obviously hyperbolic, but the message is clear: the cost of keeping Acuña could skyrocket if he puts together another dominant season. And for a player who’s already shown MVP-caliber flashes-and who’s still just entering his prime-that scenario isn’t far-fetched.
Bowden didn’t stop there. He urged the Braves to tear up the current deal and lock Acuña in now, while there’s still some leverage to be had.
“If you want him, sign him coming off 21 homers and nine steals. Do not wait, extend him now.
Rip up his existing contract, sign him now. If you wanna save money and you wanna keep him, do that.
Otherwise, enjoy the next three years because that’s the last three years you’ll have him.”
The implication? If Atlanta waits too long and Acuña delivers an MVP-level campaign, the open market-or deep-pocketed contenders like the Mets or Dodgers-could come calling. And if that happens, the Braves might find themselves priced out of retaining their franchise cornerstone.
“If he has the MVP season, enjoy the last three years of Acuña being a Brave,” Bowden added. “That’s all I got for you because he’ll either be a Met or a Dodger if you don’t take care of him now.”
"DO NOT WAIT for Ronald Acuna Jr. to have an MVP season. I'd give him $500 million for 10 years."@JimBowdenGM explores a potential extension for the #Braves star right fielder.
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) February 16, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/fGPbvbj8w4 pic.twitter.com/Iaqx5LZuJO
It’s a bold prediction, but it does highlight the delicate balance Atlanta faces. On one hand, Acuña has had his share of injury setbacks in recent seasons, and the front office may want to see him put together a full, healthy campaign before committing to another massive extension. On the other, waiting too long could mean watching one of the game’s most dynamic talents walk out the door.
For now, the good news is that Acuña is healthy, motivated, and ready to go. The Braves have him under contract for three more seasons, which gives them time-but not forever. Whether they choose to act now or wait it out, one thing’s for sure: Acuña’s future will be one of the most closely watched storylines in Atlanta for the foreseeable future.