New MLB Trade Rumors Update Ronald Acuna Jr. Buzz After Braves Contract Option Exercised

Don't expect Ronald Acuña Jr. to be traded this winter.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, such a deal is "seen as highly unlikely" despite Acuña entering the final year of his contract (the Atlanta Braves do hold a team option for 2028).

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the Braves don't want to trade a former NL MVP, five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger who is only 28 years old and still very much in his prime years.

Knee and hamstring injuries have limited Acuña to just 251 games over the past three seasons and he had a down year in 2026 by his own lofty standards, hitting .255 with 20 homers, 55 RBI, 61 runs, 21 stolen bases and a .796 OPS across 107 games. His down year is a career year for most.

But there's little doubt that Acuña at full strength is an absolute superstar. His 162-game averages during his career are impressive: 36 homers, 90 RBI, 126 runs, 31 doubles, 40 stolen bases, 5.4 WAR and a .895 OPS.

Even if he never replicates the absurd numbers he put up in his 2023 MVP season (41 homers, 73 stolen bases, 1.012 OPS, 8.4 WAR), he's still an important piece of Atlanta's core and one of the more dynamic outfielders in the sport. Coming to terms on an extension would be far more favorable than losing him in a trade, especially after the Braves just won the NL East and reached the playoffs.

He's also currently one of the best bargains in the sport, with his team options in 2027 and 2028 only setting the team back a combined total of $34 million. On the open market, he'd probably earn around $34 million per season, so the Braves don't have much incentive to trade away a superstar on such an affordable contract, even considering his recent medical history.

Add it all up, and Monday's report shouldn't come as much of a surprise.