Braves phenom Ronald Acuna quashed a published report that he rejected a $30 million contract offer from the Braves. ESPN Deportes, citing an unnamed source, reported he rejected the offer that would’ve been in the range of five or six years.
“To be honest I’m not sure where that came from,” Acuna said through a translator, “because as of now we haven’t received a contract, no one’s talked to me about it and there was no contract that was turned down or anything like that. So I’m not sure where that started from but that hasn’t been the case.”
It’s believed the Braves have had informal discussions of a long-term offer for Acuna, 20, who hasn’t played above Triple-A, but is expected to take over in left field as soon as mid-April. He led the Grapefruit League in several major offensive categories and might have been on the opening-day roster if not for a rule that assures an extra season of team contractual control if he’s in the minors until at least April 14.
Acuna could become eligible for arbitration for the first time as a Super Two player after 2020 and have up to four years of arbitration before potential free agency following the 2024 season, if the Braves haven’t signed him to a long-term extension long before then.
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