Braves GM emphatically shuts down Acuna trade speculation: 'We need him'

LAS VEGAS -- If there were any doubts about the Atlanta Braves' commitment to Ronald Acuna Jr., general manager Alex Anthopoulos squashed them Tuesday when asked about the trade rumors surrounding his star right fielder. "I have no idea where that stuff came from," Anthopoulos said at the general managers meetings. "There's not even a hint of smoke to it. There's zero." Acuna, who turns 29 next month, was hampered by injuries in 2026 for the third straight season since winning National League MVP in 2023. He batted .255/.345/.451 with 20 home runs and 21 steals on 29 attempts in 107 games during the regular season before going 3-for-24 with a .425 OPS in seven playoff games. The dismal playoff performance prompted boos from Braves fans during the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Acuna, who said fans were within their right to boo him, fought back tears after the Braves were eliminated in Game 4. Acuna later wiped any Braves-related content from his Instagram, fueling speculation of a disconnect between him and the organization. Anthopoulos, however, emphatically dismissed the possibility of the team moving on from the five-time All-Star this winter. "I don't know why [there's speculation]," Anthopoulos said. "Seriously. I was just talking to our guys about it. I have no clue. And normally I would just say, if there's noise it's because there's been a conversation. There have been zero conversations. And I don't mind saying that on the record. Zero. None. No phone calls. Incoming, [outgoing]. Zero. "I think it was just somebody on his computer, in his basement, put it out there. And, normally, if there's a little smoke, right, somebody called and asked. Maybe we made a private outbound call. None of those things happened." Acuna signed an eight-year, $100 million deal in 2019 with $17 million club options for 2027 and 2028 that quickly became one of the club-friendliest contracts in baseball. The Braves picked up his team option for 2027 immediately after the conclusion of the World Series. And, barring an unexpected development, they'll exercise his club option for 2028, too. "He's a huge part of our club," Anthopoulos said. "We need right-handed bats. He was an integral part of our lineup, especially in the biggest games of the year in September -- excluding the postseason, of course. He shined and he was incredible. We need him. We need to add to him. Obviously, we need more than just him. But I have no idea where that stuff came from."