Minor League Poverty

I think you are right. The philosophy is if you dont want the job then we will give it to someone else. That has definetly created a win win situation for mlb.

Skip to the 3:13 mark.  Fallon nails it.

 

bballman,

 

Yes there are good players that go undrafted. My son went undrafted after doing well in a top conference. He signed a s a free agent.

 

I just don't think it is as easy as many think to just plug in kids. I think your underestimating some of the talent in the lower levels.

 

It is hard in the minor leagues, it takes more than most know even when there is a lot of talent.

 

I am not trying to be disrespectful to you but many parents think players are good, and they may be good, but they may not be good enough.

I understand what you're saying fanofgame. There's no doubt every player selected in the draft has tremendous talent. But do you really think there is THAT much difference in talent between say pick #s 1200-1280 and 1281-1360?  That's not meant to be a disrespectful, rhetorical question. Do you think the pool would be that much watered down by those next 80 guys playing?

No probably not .The lower rounds are mainly fillers. Some make it but its tough.

Even if others can fill those spots, they too would deserve more money as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To those saying that minor leaguers deserve more money… How much do they deserve, and why do they deserve that amount?

 

 

 

Just a SWAG, because now that this is what I do for a living (financial analysis,) I will bet my annual salary that not a single MLB corporation loses money. This isn't profit, this is operating income, which means that this is before any tax benefits. I'd be willing to bet that those franchises which "lost money" during 2013 actually did a slate of capital projects that allowed them to show an IOI loss to improve their financial standing in upcoming years as well as maximize tax advantages.

 

A corporation doesn't lose money unless it is happening year over year.

Yes, I get it.  BUT. . . .the issue is not about bonuses, particularly because this is about those who don't get signing bonuses or not enough of a signing bonus to meet basic living expenses and must depend on charity from family or other outside sources while they work. 

 

 . . . . not for those who manage to get enough of a bonus to offset the dismal base salary or for those who have family wealthy enough to sustain them.

I think "deserve" is the wrong term when addressing the issues over minimum wage.

 

Do workers at McDonalds or Walmart "deserve" their minimum wage when they're first hired?   Minimum wage is to keep employers from exploiting their workers to the extent that workers can not afford their basic living needs.

 

I'm a bit surprised by the lack of empathy and compassion the young men struggling financially in minor league that seems to emanate from so many here.

 

+1

 

Not feeling bad for a person because they chose what they got into, and then making a statement that they deserve to get paid more, is a contradiction and makes no sense. 

 

I agree with you that "deserve" is the wrong term, but it's the term being used. My question is, for the folks here in this discussion, what is an appropriate wage scale, in your opinion?

 

 

And if you hire people under the age of 19, they'd be bound to you for 5 years. AND, they'll still be bound to your firm's policies after that 4 or 5 years unless another accounting firm wants them, in which case they can be drafted once again…eliminating their ability to leverage their skills while continuing to abide by a non-negotiable wage scale with the new firm. AND, if they do get drafted and the new firm doesn't like them as much as initially expected, they can be returned to you (and the continued non-negotiable wage scale) without any consultation or notice.

 

Sign me up!

 

In all of the years son was in milb I never heard of anyone that he knew who struggled financially while in milb.Not even about the latins struggling.  You certainly need to learn how to budget your spending but if you have been to college you already know that from mom and dad. All in all, I only look upon it as a learning experience.
Can you give examples of anyone you know who struggled?

BTW the idea is not to spend too much time in milb so you do not have to struggle.  After  4 years if you have not been picked up on the 40 man roster or had a nice bonus to keep you going most players have moved on or been released.

 

 

Sorry, TPM…going to disagree with you on this one. These two posts contradict each other.

 

First off, yes, I know several players that struggle financially in the minor leagues, especially players from Latin America.

 

Second off, the very concept you outlined - that a time limit is rudimentary to the professional baseball process - implies a financial burden that players struggle to overcome outside of that small period of time. The fact that full-time employment fundamentally prohibits employees from sustaining basic living needs for an extended period of time is an issue that is directly tied to the current wage structure of Minor League Baseball.

 

When two groups that are exempt from anti-trust laws collectively bargain a revenue sharing model that doesn't include a demographic of people directly impacted by the results of the agreement, such distorted wages occur. 

 

Beyond the stipulations of the CBA and the process of a potential MiLB unionization, the theoretical question is:

 

What would be the appropriate salary for a Minor League player?

 

I believe this question goes beyond federally regulated minimum wage, and goes beyond tangible profits generated directly by each minor league affiliate. A wide-scale study combining the cost of a farm system, combined with the resulting average success of a prospect at the Major League level, would probably be the only way to properly value a Minor League player. Even then, as profit margins change nearly daily at the Major League level, it'd be tough to pin down an appropriate figure. 

 

 

I agree an appropriate figure would be hard to come by.
What struggling have you seen tell me? I remember hearing about the struggling when son was in high A. The kids were out getting drunk every night! 
The latins struggle is because they send money back home but that is a whole other issue and discussion for another day.
Anyone in milb after 4-5 years struggling needs to move on.
Sorry but I dont have the empathy that others do.  The odds will never be in a milb players favor.

I am willing to bet as a first year scout you get paid not enough for the hours you put in. 
Do you get paid the extra hours when you have to fly or drive distance?

Definition of deserve: to do something worthy of reward or punishment, merit

I believe the players deserve more than they are getting. Im not saying I feel sorry for their choice. And those that get bonuses have it easier. I am not a player I am an observer. But when many have to pay rent, play clubbie dues, buy equipment. Guys with big bonuses get a lot of stuff free.Its hard to make it.

 

Minimum wage would be a good start,

I will just agree to disagree with those that think they shouldnt.  I get that guys choose it and many love it but many do quit or retire.

To say you have never heard of anyone struggling or complaining is kind of a wide brush. I have heard of many who struggle financially.

I agree with Truman .

And also those that say basically put up with it or quit you choose it ? I just disagree.

I also disagree when people say they just dont love it enough if they dont like the way the pay structure is.

 

 

I agree it is much easier for those with bonuses. 
The bonus does not guarantee the player will make it.  But it does place a value on how the team views  you amongst your peers and willing to invest in your development.
I feel badly for the latins as I feel they are exploited.
I do not feel badly for the later pick who gets a small bonus.  Its his choice to understand and to sign or not sign.

I agree it is their choice but I think the current system takes advantage of the dream of these young men.

 

 

I agree with an earlier comment  made as why Latin's are easier to deal with as they are happy to be there as the alternative is poverty.

 

The American players have educations to fall back on.

 

Nobody asked you to feel sorry for them. That comment is repeated over and over. Just because a group of people want change doesn't mean they want you to feel sorry for them.