A Ronald Acuña Jr. commerce rumor is gaining steam — and the Boston Purple Sox are on the heart of the noise.
The Atlanta Braves are stumbling into July at 39-46, and with their playoff hopes fading quick, the potential of a seismic transfer is creeping into the dialog.
“Some have now publicly prompt that the Braves ought to contemplate, if they don’t seem to be already, buying and selling their 27-year-old all-world famous person,” Ian Miller of Outkick wrote.
The Purple Sox are rising as a possible touchdown spot.
Boston staff president and CEO Sam Kennedy confirmed Thursday that staff possession is “keen to go for it” at this yr’s commerce deadline, including extra gas to hypothesis that the membership might pursue a daring transfer for a famous person.
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James Stewart, producer for 98.5 The Sports activities Hub, additionally floated the concept of an Acuña commerce on Thursday’s version of The Baseball Hour with Tony Mazz.
“There’s a baseball commerce that I feel might be accessible,” Stewart mentioned, “for Acuña Jr. in Atlanta. And possibly the Purple Sox must take again (Braves catcher) Sean Murphy.”
Murphy (.225, 12 HR, 30 RBI) is within the second yr of a six-year, $73 million contract he signed with Atlanta in December 2022.
The Acuña-to-Boston situation has caught fireplace on-line, particularly within the aftermath of the Rafael Devers deal that freed up vital payroll house for the Purple Sox. A number of Boston-based podcasts and nationwide baseball writers have additionally entertained the rumors.
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Al Bat columnist Ismael Hernández de Dios mentioned the concept “has set social media ablaze and deserves a better look.”
“Acuña Jr. has not had the perfect relationship with the Braves group in current months,” Hernández de Dios added. “The Venezuelan appears more and more distant from Atlanta’s venture, not less than emotionally.”
Now within the sixth season of an eight-year, $100 million extension he signed with Atlanta in 2019, the 27-year-old has $17 million membership choices for each 2027 and 2028, every with a $10 million buyout.
Make no mistake, Acuña would ship rapid star energy and manufacturing to Boston’s lineup. The 2023 MVP might slot in as a high-impact right-handed bat — and he has already proven he can deal with Fenway Park. In 9 profession video games there, he has hit .316 (12-for-38) with a house run and two RBI.
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If Atlanta decides to pay attention, Boston is perhaps prepared to speak.
