Three potential trade destinations for Ronald Acuna Jr.

The MLB playoffs are heading into the home stretch with the ALCS and NLCS going on right now. While the postseason is still going, it’s never early to start talking about the upcoming offseason, and for MLB, it is one of its bigger ones in years due to the potential for a lockout because of cap space implementation, which has the players and owners at a crossroads. While there could be a potential lockout, moves can still be made before the current CBA expires on December 1st.

There are already multiple superstars who could be rumored to go on the move this offseason. One of the stars that is rumored to be traded potentially is Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.

Acuna, who has spent his entire MLB career with the Braves, could look for a change of scenery from Atlanta, as it hasn’t been a great last couple of seasons with the franchise due to a lot of injuries. If Acuna is indeed on the trade block this offseason, you can almost bet there will be a bidding war for the chance to trade for him; the price won’t be low because of his sky-high upside, even with the injury risk. Acuna at his best is a top 5 player in all of baseball and could very easily win an MVP as he already has won it once in his career in 2023, when he got 40/70 in a historic season. 

Here are three teams that could realistically trade for the one-time MVP this offseason. 

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays could be in the market for an outfielder, with them trading away Dalton Varsho this past trade deadline and George Springer potentially leaving the Jays as well; there are some questions about their state of the outfield. The Blue Jays were just two outs away from winning the World Series last year, and after a down year this year, they could look to make a big splash in the offseason.

You won’t find a bigger splash than Acuna Jr. While there is concern about injury, the thought of having Acuna paired up with franchise star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a treat and would be worth the risk. The Jays certainly have the finances and the revenue to entice Acuna to potentially stay there long term, as his current contract ends at the end of the 2027 season, if there is one. Could be a great match waiting to happen for Acuna and the Blue Jays.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are an interesting team for Acuna; while on paper it may seem a little far-fetched that the Cubs would be willing to potentially trade for him and perhaps offer a long-term contract, it may be their best chance, more than ever, to change that narrative. The Cubs have two big-time players entering free agency this year: outfielders Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki.

With two potential exits, there could be a huge hole for the Cubs in the outfield; that is where Acuna could enter the fold. It may be difficult to replace Suzuki power production from a lineup that didn’t see a lot of power outside of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman. If Acuna can get back to his old form, then this team just got a whole lot scarier with the top of the lineup. An Acuna and PCA duo would be must-watch TV, as both players running around the bases would be a treat.

Tampa Bay Rays

While it seems unlikely at first, with the Rays being a small-market team, if you look deeper, it could actually make a lot of sense for the Rays to target someone like Acuna. The theme around the Rays for years is that pitching is their identity, and that is why they are currently in the midst of their first World Series title in franchise history. The Rays, however, have shown they can get aggressive after stars in the past, as they did make a run for Freddie Freeman when he was a free agent years ago before signing with the Dodgers, and were interested in making a trade for Shohei Ohtani when Ohtani was in his final year with the Angels.

Acuna would be a fun addition to this Rays team, as they are currently lacking some power in their lineup outside of their budding superstar in Junior Caminero. Caminero and Acuna controlling the top of the lineup, and Acuna playing in the trop, Acuna could bring his home run total back towards what it was during his prime seasons with the Braves. The risk, of course, is his legs, and with the Rays recently implementing a turf field, it could be riskier than other potential destinations he could go to, but if the Rays keep him mainly at DH, then he can be a great addition to this Rays team.