The Atlanta Braves just can’t seem to catch a break in 2025. A rocky start to the season has been fueled by an underperforming offense and key injuries to Reynaldo López and Spencer Strider. Even though the team is on a modest four-game winning streak that’s pulled them back into the NL East race, most of the buzz is about the growing tension between manager Brian Snitker and star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.

The drama kicked off over the weekend when outfielder Jarred Kelenic was thrown out trying to stretch a deep fly into a double — a result of not hustling out of the box. Snitker downplayed the incident and didn’t discipline Kelenic, a decision that didn’t sit well with Acuña Jr., who recalled being benched for a similar lack of effort a few seasons ago. Acuña voiced his frustration on social media, igniting a controversy that has lingered for days.

With the team starting to show signs of life on the field and Acuña Jr. expected to return to the top of the lineup soon, the Braves are no doubt hoping to move past the drama. But that’s been easier said than done, especially after a former fan favorite poured gasoline on the fire this week.

Jeff Francoeur, a local product and longtime favorite of Braves fans, appeared on 680 The Fan and used much of the segment to take Acuña Jr. to task. Francoeur did make a fair point that Acuña might’ve been better off keeping his complaints internal rather than posting cryptic messages online — and acknowledged that Acuña still has room to grow as a leader.

Ronald Acuña Jr

But then Francoeur went way over the line, suggesting not only that Acuña was in the wrong, but that the Braves might be better off without him altogether. He referenced the team’s 2021 World Series win, which happened while Acuña was sidelined with a torn ACL, as supposed evidence.

That take doesn’t hold water. Acuña was on a tear that year before his injury, hitting 24 home runs in just 82 games — and it’s hard to imagine the Braves even making the postseason without that production. To suggest the team doesn’t need him going forward is not only misguided, it’s insulting. Acuña remains the cornerstone of the franchise, and while he hasn’t handled everything perfectly, his commitment to winning is beyond question.

Frankly, Acuña has done far more for the Braves than Francoeur ever did — and that reality makes Francoeur’s criticism all the more out of line.