Braves fans took notice of the highest payroll team in baseball history having a firesale at this years trade deadline. As funny as it was to see the Mets wave the white flag in late July, one of those trades brought back a return that hurt Braves fans.
I’m talking of course of the Mets trading veteran pitcher Max Scherzer to Texas in exchange for the Rangers number three prospect (number 44 overall according to MLB Pipeline) Luisangel Acuña. That last name will obviously look familiar to Braves fans, and if you didn’t already know, yes what you are thinking is true.
Luisangel is the younger brother of Braves superstar and current NL MVP frontrunner, Ronald Acuña Jr. It hurt to see another Acuña go to the Braves fiercest rival, but with both Acuña‘s being in the same division baseball fans could be in for some exciting moments.
In fact the siblings seem to already have a nice friendly bet in place that has just come to light.
The sibling wager
According to Mets’ beat writer Tim Healey, Luisangel has revealed the Acuna bros. have a bet in place for which brother can steal the most bases by seasons end. The standings currently sit at Ronald: 53 stolen bases, Luisangel: 46 stolen bases. The winner gets $5,000.
Big update from Luisangel Acuna: He and his brother, noted Braves MVP candidate Ronald Acuna, have a bet going over who can steal more bases this year. The winner gets $5,000, he said.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) August 8, 2023
(Luisangel has 43, Ronald 53.)
To no surprise Ronald is line to win this bet due to the magical season he is having on the basepaths. We know Ronald likes to impact the game as many ways as he can, but now we know why he may have been feeling a little more frisky on the basepaths this year.
The lead is slim, but with Ronald’s frequency to get on base it appears he should have it. That of course is assuming we get good news today on his availability; He is currently listed as day-to-day after taking a 97 mph fastball off the elbow last night. Thankfully, x-rays came back negative so I would expect him back in the lineup rather soon.
Even if Ronald holds that lead til season end (Mets Double-A team plays last regular season game on September 17th) I hope he wouldn’t hold Luisangel to that $5,000 reward considering he’s still making minor league money. But siblings are often held to a different standard on friendly wagers, as I’m sure many of you know.
Regardless this has been a fun idea by the Acuna’s to push them both to be great and impact baseball games. Perhaps it won’t be long before we are watching these bets take place on the same field.