Braves sign Acuña to contract extension

ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - The Atlanta Braves are signing outfielder Ronald Acuña to an 8-year, $100 million contract. The deal would keep the 21-year-old in Atlanta through 2028 – which includes team options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

After making his MLB debut in the 2018 season, Acuña batted .293 with 26 home runs, helping the Braves to a National League East championship. He's started his first full MLB season hitting cleanup behind Freddie Freeman in Atlanta's lineup, and hit his first home run of the season in Monday night's win over Chicago.

The contract could look like a bargain a few years down the road. The advantage of Acuña is stability, getting a raise in the short-term and avoiding salary arbitration. 

"I'm really so happy to be here in Atlanta for a long time," Acuna said. "I love my teammates, the fans, and the people."