A Ronald Acuña Jr. trade rumor is gaining steam — and the Boston Red Sox are at the center of the noise.
The Atlanta Braves are stumbling into July at 39-46, and with their playoff hopes fading fast, the possibility of a seismic move is creeping into the conversation.
“Some have now publicly suggested that the Braves should consider, if they are not already, trading their 27-year-old all-world superstar,” Ian Miller of Outkick wrote.
The Red Sox are emerging as a potential landing spot.
Boston team president and CEO Sam Kennedy confirmed Thursday that team ownership is “willing to go for it” at this year’s trade deadline, adding more fuel to speculation that the club could pursue a bold move for a superstar.
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James Stewart, producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub, also floated the idea of an Acuña trade on Thursday’s edition of The Baseball Hour with Tony Mazz.
“There’s a baseball trade that I think could be available,” Stewart said, “for Acuña Jr. in Atlanta. And maybe the Red Sox have to take back (Braves catcher) Sean Murphy.”
Murphy (.225, 12 HR, 30 RBI) is in the second year of a six-year, $73 million contract he signed with Atlanta in December 2022.
The Acuña-to-Boston scenario has caught fire online, especially in the aftermath of the Rafael Devers deal that freed up significant payroll space for the Red Sox. Several Boston-based podcasts and national baseball writers have also entertained the rumors.
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Al Bat columnist Ismael Hernández de Dios said the idea “has set social media ablaze and deserves a closer look.”
“Acuña Jr. has not had the best relationship with the Braves organization in recent months,” Hernández de Dios added. “The Venezuelan seems increasingly distant from Atlanta’s project, at least emotionally.”
Now in the sixth season of an eight-year, $100 million extension he signed with Atlanta in 2019, the 27-year-old has $17 million club options for both 2027 and 2028, each with a $10 million buyout.
Make no mistake, Acuña would deliver immediate star power and production to Boston’s lineup. The 2023 MVP could slot in as a high-impact right-handed bat — and he has already shown he can handle Fenway Park. In nine career games there, he has hit .316 (12-for-38) with a home run and two RBI.
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If Atlanta decides to listen, Boston might be ready to talk.
