Braves Superstar Ronald Acuña Wants to Play in Venezuelan Winter League if MLB Season is Cut Short
Major League Baseball players are sitting at home doing their best to stay prepared for the potential start of the 2020 season, whenever that may be. Some may be thinking of creative ways to keep a normal workload if the season is cut short or ultimately cancelled, and it's hard to blame them.
For his part, young Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. already has a contingency plan in place if there ends up being less than a full season: He wants to go back home and play in the Venezuelan Winter League for the very first time.
#Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. said if the MLB season is canceled or severely shortened, he'll play afterward in the Venezuelan Winter League for the first time. He would play for Tiburones de La Guaira in his hometown -- the team that his father, Ronald, played for 13 years ago.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 16, 2020
Other players may have hurdles to jump for that plan to work after MLB did not allow its players to take part in the league this past year due to government sanctions against Venezuela. However, Acuña is a native of the country, and if he is living there anyway during offseasons, it is hard to force him to sit at home.
Especially considering that he'd have a chance to play for the same team his father played for.
He's going to go to Venzuezla regardless -- it's where he spent the entire offseason this past winter. It's where his family is, and the #Braves were assured the out-of-the-way town where he lives would be safe for him.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 16, 2020
Many MLB players may also look to get some games in abroad in order to stay sharp and play the sport they love. The only unknown now is what the world will be like in the winter and how many professional leagues around the world will feasibly be able to get games in. For now, Acuña is just keeping his options open as everyone is anxious to see some baseball.