Major-market sports teams should definitely be modeling themselves after the Atlanta Braves going forward, even though the Los Angeles Dodgers have garnered the most of attention this summer. They assembled perhaps the deepest lineup in baseball last season thanks to their policy of locking up young, talented players to long-term contract extensions before their worth potentially grows to unimaginable levels.
President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has spent his time with the club honing this kind of forward-thinking thinking, and it might be evident once more. Baseball America’s Ben Badler reports that the 17-year-old wonder Jose Perdomo signed a $5 million bonus with the Braves, the largest bonus ever awarded to an international player of Venezuelan descent.
Atlanta’s present is already shining brilliantly, yet it still makes investments in the future. The highly sought-after infielder’s great contact abilities and improved shortstop defense rank him among the top prospects in the 2024 international class. He can contribute to improving the farm system, which FanGraphs ranks as the MLB’s 25th best right now.
This signing is even more intriguing given that Ronald Acuna Jr. is a fellow countryman of Perdomo’s who he idolizes. Eventually, the adolescent sensation could find a suitable mentor in the 2023 National League MVP. Still, this rookie’s Braves career is only getting begun.
Jose Perdomo has a long way to go before he can try to emerge as the team’s next pillar. But when that time comes, Alex Anthopoulos will have yet another amazing accomplishment to add to his already outstanding CEO resume.
