Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña is expected to sign with Rimas Sports, according to sources briefed on the matter, who requested anonymity because they were not athorized to speak publicly. Rimas, the agency led by Bad Bunny, is facing significant discipline from the MLB Players Association, as The Athletic first reported on Friday. Rimas agent William Arroyo had his license revoked and two other employees who were pending certification will not get their licenses, leaving the agency with just one certified agent, Michael Velazquez, and prompting concerns over Rimas’ long-term viability in baseball. Bad Bunny, who launched the agency last year, is a multiple-Grammy Award winning recording artist from Puerto Rico who is an avid baseball fan.
Acuña, asked on Wednesday if he had signed with Rimas, said “not yet,” though he indicated it was likely to happen. A representative for Rimas didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Acuña is not believed to be signing on for Rimas to be his agent, but rather to handle his marketing and off-field business. The 26-year-old reigning National League MVP signed an eight-year, $100 million extension with Atlanta in 2019, which is considered incredibly team-friendly given his career production (his career WAR is already north of 26). Acuña’s contract runs through 2026 with team options for 2027 and ’28.
The exact reason for Rimas’ MLBPA discipline is unknown, though they have been the subject of multiple complaints from other agencies to the Players Association, which oversees agent certification, multiple sources briefed on the matter said. The Players Association declined to comment.
Some of the complaints involved multiple employees who were not certified agents but were acting in that capacity, sources said. Multiple accounts from players and agents involve employees of Rimas offering large sums of money, cars and other incentives prohibited by MLBPA’s agent regulations in order to get players to switch agencies. Rimas is expected to appeal its punishment to the MLBPA.
Acuña’s expected deal with Rimas raises a number of questions.
Is this allowed?
Technically, yes. The MLBPA, which oversees agent regulations, does not police marketing and business companies the same way, meaning rules against paying players or giving them large gifts to recruit them do not apply.
Acuña, who previously had his marketing and branding work done by the company Xample, has no listed agent at the MLBPA, according to sources. Acuña’s previous representation, who negotiated the extension, was Peter E. Greenberg and Associates. They were acquired by Rep 1 Baseball in February of 2020.
What does this mean for Acuña’s future in Atlanta?
Acuña has made it known this spring that he wants to be “a Brave for life.” Per the union’s agent regulations, he will need an MLBPA-certified agent in order to negotiate any kind of new contract extension.
What about all of Rimas’ other clients?
Since the news of Rimas’ discipline broke on Friday, dozens of players have requested to be placed on the MLBPA’s “Do Not Contact” list, according to multiple emails obtained from the Athletic, which means other agents are forbidden from reaching out to them. (This action has to be triggered by players; agencies can’t request their clients go on the DNC list.)
The sheer volume of players in a short span is unusual, industry sources familiar with these transactions say. They’re almost all Rimas clients, including the Mets’ Francisco Alvarez and Ronny Mauricio, the Orioles’ Livan Soto and top Dodgers prospect Diego Cartaya. On Thursday morning, the Rockies’ Ezequiel Tovar, who signed a $63.5 million, seven-year contract extension this spring that could reach $84 with an option extension negotiated by Rimas, was also added to the list.
Sources briefed on the matter said Rimas has informed their clients to not comment on the subject. Privately, sources say, the agency has assured players that everything is going to be OK, which may have prompted players to request DNC status while Rimas fights their punishment.
In a statement sent to The Athletic on Friday, Rimas said: “At Rimas Sports, we uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity of our industry. Out of respect for an ongoing process within the context of the MLBPA agent regulations, we will refrain from making any comments at this time. We remain committed to continue serving our clients with excellence.”
The Athletic’s David O’Brien contributed to this report.
(Top photo: Rich von Biberstein / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
