Acuna can be brought up to the majors as soon at April 13 without losing a season of controlGETTY IMAGES
The Braves are seeing "inevitable criticism" after sending top prospect CF Ronald Acuna Jr. down to Triple-A to start the season in a move that many view as "largely if not entirely driven by the economics of baseball," according to David O'Brien of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. The demotion was "not unexpected despite his performance" in Spring Training, where the 20-year-old Acuna entered Monday "ranked second in the majors" in batting average and slugging percentage. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos insisted the move "was for development purposes, that the team wants to make sure they do the right thing for the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball." However, many observers "will not be convinced it was done for any reason other than to assure the Braves of another full season of contractual control before free agency, something that most who follow the team closely had been predicting since before spring training began." Many around MLB believe it is a "sound decision, that it would have been irresponsible for the Braves to forgo an entire potential season of contractual control just so that Acuna could be on their opening day roster in a season in which no one predicts the still-rebuilding Braves to contend" for the NL East title. The earliest the Braves can bring Acuna up and "still assure an extra (seventh) season of control before free agency would be April 13" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 3/20). Braves P Brandon McCarthy tweeted, "I understand the reasoning behind service time manipulation. But in the era of two wild cards, it no longer makes as much sense for a large portion of the league's fans to be cool with it happening."
HARD PILL TO SWALLOW: USA TODAY’s Steve Gardner noted a “sampling from social media had fans venting at the Braves' ownership, the control factor and what they see as a waste of talent for the big-league club to kick off the season for a player that is ready for the majors now.” However, the Reds “did the same thing on Monday with their best prospect," 3B Nick Senzel. The practice of sending player to the minors for another year of control "gained notoriety" in '15, when Cubs 3B Kris Bryant "led all players with nine home runs in spring training, but began the regular season in the minors -- spurring outrage from baseball fans and his agent, Scott Boras, in particular" (USATODAY.com, 3/19). The N.Y. Post's Joel Sherman said the "idea that the 750 best players at any one time aren't in the major leagues is an important issue" for both MLB and Commissioner Rob Manfred, as well as the MLBPA. Sherman: "You want the best players playing" ("MLB Tonight," MLB Network, 3/19).
BUSINESS RULES THE DAY: CBSSPORTS.com's R.J. Anderson wrote Acuna's demotion "stinks for the sport for the same reasons this winter has -- it reinforces that baseball is a business, and baseball is at its most enjoyable when that fact is obscured" (CBSSPORTS.com, 3/19). YAHOO SPORTS’ Chris Cwik wrote fans know why teams “send down elite prospects, and it’s not for ‘development.’” However, teams “can’t be honest without drawing the ire” of the MLBPA. While it is a “wise move on the Braves’ end, it’s done in bad faith.” The best players “don’t get promoted when they are ready, they get promoted when it’s most convenient for the team” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/19). In Atlanta, Mark Bradley writes the move by the Braves is “slightly disappointing.” However, it is “no great surprise.” In the grand scheme, “not having Acuna for [a] month or so won’t mean much of anything” (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 3/20). Also in Atlanta, Jeff Schultz wrote if Acuna “turns into what almost everybody believes he will turn into, you will be thankful for that extra season before he crushes the budget” (AJC.com, 3/19). LegendsOnDeck.com's Jake Berry tweeted, "I want to see Acuna in the bigs as much as the next guy, but I can’t blame the #Braves. Fans won’t be thinking about three weeks in 2018 when they get that extra year in 2024."
