Ronald Acuna Just Got PAID, But Players Are Officially Terrified Of MLB Free Agency

Okay so this is straight out of the Rick Hahn book of locking up players long term.  Say what you want about his previous year, but the White Sox have always done a great job at extending their young players long term at perceived “team friendly” deals.  Eloy Jimenez is the latest example, proceeded by Sale, Quintana, Eaton, Anderson and to a lesser degree Nate Jones.

I’m guessing the contract structure will go something like this:

2019: League min
2020: $1.5MM
2021: $7.5MM
2022: $10MM
2023: $12.5MM
2024: $15MM
2025: $18.5MM
2026: $18.5MM
Option year 1: $17MM
Option year 2: $17MM

Eloy got a $5MM bonus, so there will probably be one involved in Acuna’s contract structure as well.  Maybe a tick more for the true 5 tool player. That would help drive the AAV down for lux tax purposes, since that figure is calculated by the AAV, not on a year to year dollar amount.  I’m sure there is a buyout involved as well, probably around 1/2 or a little more of one of the option years.  UPDATE – it’s for $10MM

Nevertheless, this deal locks up a 21 year old phenom through his age 31 season (good for Braves) and provides obvious financial security for the Acuna (good for player).

But what you’ll read next is the truly important part about deals like this:

Teams are getting REALLY fucking smart with how they manage their budgeting and finances now.  They successfully suppressed the market the last few offseasons to the point where older, middling players were basically ran out of the game or signed for dirt cheap, while younger players are now signing deals before they reach free agency.  This is due to the fear instilled by teams that free agency pay days are forever down the road, if they’re ever reached at all.  To me it stinks like collusion, but that’s a different blog for a different day.

On the surface it looks like a great deal for the player and there will be a stigma in the media and with fans where they think a shit ton of money is flying off the shelves and into players’ pockets.  But players make the most money in free agency, should they get there, but lesser and lesser players are choosing to do so.

Either way he’ll be one of the most fun players in all of baseball to watch for the next 10 years and the Braves are building a scary good core.  Carrabis said it in his blog earlier – young players sticking with the team that drafted/developed them or signed them internationally for their prime is good for the game.