Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. unanimously secured the 2023 National League Most Valuable Player award, receiving all 30 first-place votes.
This recognition comes on the heels of a historic season where Acuna became the first MLB player to achieve both more than 40 home runs and 70 stolen bases in a single season.
The 25-year-old wrapped up the 2023 season with remarkable batting averages of .337/.416/.596. Throughout the campaign, he accumulated 217 hits, scored an impressive 149 runs, recorded 386 total bases, and showcased his speed with 73 stolen bases. Additionally, he contributed 106 RBIs and hammered 41 home runs.
Acuna is the second Braves player to win the NL MVP in the last four seasons after former Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman claimed the honor in 2020.
The Braves secured the best record in baseball during the 2023 regular season, clinching the National League East Division title with a sensational 104-58 win-loss slate.
However, their postseason journey was cut short as they were eliminated in the National League Division Series by the Philadelphia Phillies in a four-game series in October.
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Ronald Acuna Jr. Contract
The Venezuelan player made his major league debut in 2018, earning $465,870 during that season. Shortly after, he secured a substantial eight-year, $100 million extension in 2019 to continue his tenure with the Braves. He is the youngest player in MLB history to secure a contract valued at nine figures.
The contract, which is still in effect today, earned Acuna $17 million for his historic MVP season in 2023.
His annual earnings will remain consistent, amounting to the same $17 million figure until 2026. Additionally, the contract includes club options for 2027 and 2028, valued at the same amount, according to Spotrac.
Acuña could become an unrestricted free agent in 2029, providing Atlanta fans with the exciting prospect of continuing to watch their star play for the foreseeable future.
Current Acuna deal is a bargain
Many observers view the current $100 million contract of the four-time MLB All-Star as a bargain, considering his status as one of the best players in the sport. This perception is heightened when compared to other stars in the sport who have secured multi-hundred million contracts.
For instance, the recent winner of the 2023 American League MVP, Shohei Ohtani, is anticipated to land a substantial $500 million contract as he enters free agency this offseason.
In the upcoming 2024 MLB season, he is tied as the 65th-best-paid player in the league, sharing this position with Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo, and Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez.
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