After learning that starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach will start the season on the 60-day injured list and miss significant time it was great for Atlanta Braves fans to hear Ronald Acuña Jr. tell the media yesterday that he’s feeling “200%” and is determined to have a big season, and earlier today The Morning Shift talked about how it’s time for the 2023 NL MVP to have another MVP type of season especially if he wants that big contract extension from the Braves anytime soon.
“It is important for his career because you don’t want to be a guy that’s known more for the great talent, but never could put the seasons together.” Beau Morgan said
Mike Johnson added on to Beau’s point by saying “I have to think that Ronald Acuña, if there is some kind of extension talks going on behind the scenes, only kind of helps his case by saying hey I’m 200% healthy.”
Acuña Jr. is entering the final guaranteed year of the eight-year, $100 million-dollar contract extension he signed with Atlanta back in 2019. The Braves do hold club options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, valued at $17 million each, but whether the Braves and Acuña Jr. are working on extension or not the Braves star needs a healthy and productive year after only playing 144 games over the past two seasons, especially, if he wants that extension sooner rather than later.