Michael Bourn is planning to decline the Atlanta Braves' qualifying offer before Friday's deadline, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The qualifying offer, a $13.3 million one-year deal, is too scant for Bourn and his agent, Scott Boras. They will hit the open market in search of a lucrative multi-year deal. If he signs elsewhere, the Braves will receive a compensatory draft pick in the supplemental first round of next June's draft.
Michael Bourn declines Braves’ qualifying offer
Michael Bourn will decline the qualifying offer extended to him by the Atlanta Braves, making him a free agent. He seeks a multi-year deal.
Scott Cunningham
The Braves acquired Bourn at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline in 2011. He hit .275/.341/.381 and stole 64 bases in 952 total plate appearances for Atlanta. He also made the All-Star team this past season.
The Braves could still work out a deal to keep Bourn, but that could prove challenging. The speedy outfielder will likely be one of the hottest commodities on the free agent market. There are a number of center fielders on the market this winter, including B.J. Upton, Shane Victorino and Angel Pagan, but Bourn is widely considered the best among them.
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