Michael Bourn rejects qualifying offer from Atlanta Braves - MLB Update
Centre fielder, Michael Bourn, along with a number of other players, has refused to accept the qualifying offer; making his team Atlanta Braves pursue him from free agency.
He has done so in light of the prospects that he can earn an expensive deal from any of the interested organisations in the free agent market.
Right from the beginning of the 2012 regular season, Bourn is under the scan of various clubs. His defensive capabilities make him an ideal outfielder for the interested teams.
Interestingly, he has invoked the free agency at a time when there is a long list of clubs looking for reliable outfielders.
Even some of the most established clubs in the Major League confront the shortage of options on their rosters in this regard, meaning that Bourn is ideally poised to earn a blockbuster offering in the free agent market.
The Philadelphia Phillies are without their regular outfielder Shane Victorino after he was traded by them due to his subpar performances in the last season.
The fact the Phillies are aggressively working their way out to make sure they regain their dominance in the National League East next year gives one a reason to believe that they will go after Bourn.
They do have the financial strength needed to acquire such a high value player. An extreme need of having outfielders by the teams like the Phillies can reduce the chances that the Braves will buy Bourn from free agency.
For Atlanta, Bourn is an important component of their plans for the upcoming seasons. Losing him can disturb their preparations immensely, for example they will have to revisit their budget and look for replacements either in the farm system or externally.
Against the backdrop of the retirement of their third baseman Chipper Jones, they already confront a task to find his successor.
At the moment, Bourn will be looking to evaluate the interests shown by organisations that want him on their rosters. He will be hoping that he earns a multi-year deal, which ensures him security and permanent inflow of money.
The Braves’ fans will be extremely disappointed if they see Bourn playing for another team next year.
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