ATLANTA _ Ronald Acuna will spend his prime with the Braves.
Amid a flurry of extensions throughout baseball, the Braves did one of their own: They are finalizing an eight-year, $100 million deal with their 21-year-old star. The contract includes two club options worth $17 million each with a $10 million buyout, ESPN first reported.
The Braves announced the mega deal Tuesday afternoon. It's the second largest contract in franchise history.
The Braves have Acuna under team control through 2028 (if they choose). Their phenom would've reached free agency in 2024. It provided him with security while giving the Braves an apparent team-friendly deal. Acuna wasn't set for arbitration until 2021. He now likely won't reach free agency until he's 31 years old.
The deal could max out at 10 years, $124 million, as first acknowledged by ESPN's Jeff Passan, who was the first to report their agreement.
Acuna, 21, galvanized the Braves during his rookie season. He caught fire from the leadoff spot in the second half, reviving the offense and helping the team to 90 wins and a division title. Acuna won rookie of the year for his efforts, which included a .293 average, 26 homers and 16 steals.
Considered among the premier young talents in the game, Acuna opened last season as the consensus No. 1 overall prospect. He joined the team three weeks into the season and since has 165 days of service time.
