Value of an Agent after the draft

I talked to my son's coach who just finished his career this spring at AA level after about 8 seasons or so.

Speaking in very general terms if you can find someone you can trust (should go without saying I imagine but he said he saw some pretty screwed up stuff)he felt he saw some benefits of always having one.

His particular agent helped him with glove, batting glove, and shoe deals as well as could get him some free bats every year.

Not knowing your particular situation he also said it was nice to have someone to bounce business type questions off. Things like taxes, housing, etc.

He joked that he never made enough money for anyone to take advantage of him. Not sure how helpful that is but that was his experience.

Good luck.

If a player did not need an agent before the draft and already signed he does not need one right afterwards. That may change later as the player develops and moves to higher levels at the minor league level.

Yes, agents can be very helpful in many situations, but be aware that they very rarely get involved in the mil players dealings with the team. Once the player gets to ML that can change and does.

Agents do not do anything for free. Players drafted using an agent pay a fee for their services not BEFORE the draft but after they become professionals. That fee may cover many things. Sons agent was and still is instrumental in getting him endorsements, equipment, as a new signee card deals, etc. There are some other perks, example being the agency does his taxes for no charge, part of the service that they provide their clients. Since sons time as a professional has been complicated by injury, agent has been very helpful in advice and medical contacts and recently negotiating a FA contract. However, the next time he will ever see any money from son will be if he ever goes to arbitration as a ML player. That is really the only time one really needs an agent (for contract negotiation) and one who knows the business and has negotiated contracts for others in the past.

Be aware that if a player secures an agent after the draft, many usually ask for a yearly fee, which is understandable if he is to get him things that the player would normally pay for.

Every spring training the companies visit all teams, at that time players can pay reduced fees for things like bats, gloves, shoes, etc and make agreements. Sons agency does not supply pitchers with bats, so DK got a hookup with Louisville Slugger on his own. He also gave his extra stuff to guys with no agents, as many players do, to help others out.

One doesn't have to worry about finding a qualified agent, as the player advances and shows ability to possibly reach ML level, he will have agents contacting him and he can do the choosing, not the other way around.

Be aware that an agent that does not have a player on any 40 man roster (just has to be one), is not able to do business (negotiate) with ML teams, so be careful of the person who wants to be your players agent! You want an agent who is recognized by the ML Players Association.

I am not sure why you are asking but be aware that I am pretty sure that MLB does not allow agents to solicit newly signed players at the entry level.

I tend to believe what backstopdad32 has said, there is a lot of crazy stuff that goes on. There are many guys who take on guys and then they are never to be seen or heard of. Good agents don't do that, they stay in touch with their players no matter who they are, and visit them during spring and season.

BTW, the clubby most likely can give better recommendations on housing in the area the player will be residing in rather than an agent who lives in another areas of the country.

It depends upon the agent. My son has an agent new to the business, working for an established firm, who hasn't charged my son anything but has gotten him gloves, shoes, bats and workout gear, let him stay in his AZ apt and even drove his car to CA for him.

Results will vary by agent.

quote:

Originally posted by CollegeParentNoMore:
It depends upon the agent. My son has an agent new to the business, working for an established firm, who hasn't charged my son anything but has gotten him gloves, shoes, bats and workout gear, let him stay in his AZ apt and even drove his car to CA for him.

Results will vary by agent.

Was he his agent when he was drafted?

No, he was not his agent when he was drafted. I will admit the agent knew him from high school, but just the same there isn't a whole lot of money for the agent anytime soon, although I think the agent has built up some goodwill with my son and some of the guys he plays with.

So I had a topic in another area of the board, but you all seem to addressing my questions with more than just a little knowledge, so ill jump in here please! I was wondering some of the same things, like if an agent will help with any investments son may want to make with bonus money, supplemental income opportunities, possible work in the off-season and the like. Im just kind of wondering if there is a baseline of what agents do, so we have a better knowledge of weather we are getting the bare minimum, about average, or if someone is trying to sell us the moon. Thanks for the continuing education all.

Find a high quality CFP Financial Planner with 20+ years experience, independent of any Agency connections. Do your own due diligence!

Do not rely on any agent for this advice!

Son signed with a agent after his first season of pro ball...Agent got him baseball card deals and never received a dime until son signed free agent contract
Agent did provide him with cleats,bats, gloves batting gloves, work out gear.etc.
which saved son $$$$

have your agent make videos too... like this one.. also Yoneis Cespedes cashed in on his video. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVY6QlxF0iw

 

Why would an agent make videos of the players he respresents?

because he works for the player. His job also asks him to promote the players on his roster. 

A video helps him do that. 

So scott boras runs around making videos of his players to promote them?In your opinion what is and should be the responsibility of the agent and his role with the players he represents?

The Boras Corporation will use video only to make $$$ for their company and for their clients. Videos are very expensive when professionally produced.

 

During my days with the Area Code games and Goodwill Series events, I met Alan Trammell Detroit Tigers and suggested that we produced a video of his shortstop skills to include his 2b teammate - Lou Whitaker. The estimate cost was $25,000.00

 

We planned to sell the video to Kellogg Foods for their 50th year. Unfortunately, Lou Whitaker was not available. He lived on the East Coast and Alan in San Diego.

 

Boras is doing the same with his videos to market his clients for corporate promotion. Same as for agents of famous "entertainers".

 

Bob

Santa Rosa, CA.

Agreed when your client is famous. 
This topic is about the value of an agent after the draft.

LOL! I agree TPM! What about the "Real World Examples" that those lucky enough to get drafted, but not in the first 10 rounds experience!

 

That is now an experience that my son has lived through over the past 7 months or so...is that really as long as it has been?! It seems like it has been ages! Or maybe it is the off season that seems like ages!

 

Anyway, we did find out what the value of an Agent could become after the draft.  That is what formed the basis for this thread, should he or shouldn't he sign with an Agent. I have to give kudos to my son because he pulled the trigger on this and signed with an Agent shortly after arriving in Bristol for his Rookie Season.

 

In retrospect, at this juncture, it has proved to be very advantageous for my son. He has been given a Bat Contract, provided with Cleats, and numerous pieces of training gear over this short period of time. His Agent has become his friend and I have seen no downside to the arrangement so far.

 

From my perspective, there can be value in signing with an Agent after the draft. Go in with your eyes as wide open as possible. My perspective could change in the future, although I do not expect that to be the case. If it does change I will let you know here.

This the definition of a baseball Sports Agent.

http://www.ehow.com/about_6506...on-sports-agent.html

During the 17 years of the Area Code games, I encountered all the agents.

 

Many are no longer in business. It is a business with very high "up front" expenses.

Office rent, travel, secretary, legal, accounting, telephone. Many are attorney's

who understand contract law, however they are not investment experts.

 

My son Robert, Director of Promotions for SSK receives dozens of phone calls

from "agents" for their clients to send gloves and bats. He has Robinson Cano and the "Panda"using the SSK equipment.

Best wishes to your sons, as they have received product from their agent, maybe paid "out of his pocket".

 

Bob

Another benefit, that will vary greatly by agent, is the agents ability to find out the status of their client from people within the organization and help if they get released.  My son's freind's agent did not bother to return phone calls when his friend was released, so he became a client of my son's agent.

 

I would guess players drafted in the 1st few rounds (1-3) have the best ability to get deals. After that its all about the agent making something happen and/or buying the stuff for his client with his own funds.

Agents don't make videos to promote their milb players.  Until that player makes a ML roster and/or FA, there is no value in spending time or money on promoting them. Agents will help their ML players with promotions, signings, etc. 

Milb player's are essentially OWNED by the team and the agent, even a high profile one has very little say in what the team's plans are for that player.  Agents don't talk regularly to teams about their players progress.

 

People seem to not understand the real importance of having an agent.  It's not about equipment and card deals, videos, etc.  It's  about having a qualified person knowing what advice to give you when you are hurt, having someone who can call the GM or any other organizational person higher up and talk to them on your behalf because he is familiar with what the MLPA and it's union allows and doesn't allow.  It's about knowing how to negotiate and advise your clients when they are faced with their first ML contract or and yes returning your phone call the day you get released and advising you properly on the next step.

 

The top agencies don't pay anything for equipment, they have relationships with companies that give them whatever their players want.  But IMO, this is not the most important aspect of having an agent. My son's agent's relationship with MLB is what is most important.

 

MLB has rules as to who they will and will not do business with, make sure your agent or his agency has a player on the 40 man or they cannot do business with MLB.

 

 

I do not quite understand the logic of your post. It is as though to say that any player that is not on a MLB roster, not going through Arbitration, an Injury or a Release has no business having an Agent.

 

When a player is drafted they may or may not be represented by an Agent. Some with Agents are rewarded with higher signing bonuses then they might have otherwise commanded, some price themselves out of the market and sign as undrafted free agents because of mistakes that they or their Agent made.

 

To indicate that there is no role, or that the role an Agent plays is minimal or basically worthless after the draft, but before the potential MLB contract is not accurate.

 

I know that the Bat deal that my son's Agent worked out for him is very valuable to my son, and it is valuable to me as well. The price of bats add up, and at league minimum A ball there is not much left over for Bats or Cleats, or Turfs, or whatever else my son's Agent sends his way.

 

The dollars come out of the Agency's pocket not my son's. That is a very good thing. And I expect that additional benefits of their arrangement will follow, should my son produce. Perhaps a card deal.

 

For a 24th round pick this is all good. No question about it from my perspective.

 

 

I did not say that having an agent to get bat deals and equipment deals, making videos, is bad, what I implied was that there are other things to consider as well. 

 

IMO there are more important things that one should consider, as anyone can get a player equipment, but does that agent know what to do, who to talk to,  if the player is hurt and the organization tells him he's ok get out and play?  Or they tell him that he MUST see a specific doctor, etc. etc?

 

Where did I say his role was useless before the player makes MLB?

 

FWIW, the advice son got from his agent when he needed to seek other medical advice was worth more than all the gloves and stuff he gets for free.  If not directed to the proper person, he might not be playing anymore.

 

I did get a chuckle...   from the video.   No one in a MLB organization is going to look at an outside video on one of their own players.   Especially one where the player is wearing a beanie (or whatever its called)   There are way too many people in MLB who do not appreciate the "new" fashion statements.     Second, if the player is not associated with a team, don't know in Mitch Abeita case, but is the player a C or 2B, seems that by the time you have to market yourself you better have a primary position.  Seems something with POP times would be more useful.  An agent should be able to afford a stop watch. 

 

In the high school arena, I think video is very worthwhile as college coaches just  can't go and see every player.   But in the MILB level, IMHO a video won't do much.   MLB teams rely on their scouting department and they will want to see a player in person on the field. 

Now that said, I do find an agent useful.  Besides providing, gloves, cleats, etc,  They can be a conduit in communications between the front office and the player.  They can ask the hard questions, that a player may not feel he can ask of "his bosses".  Agents can also offer advice about the business, from what's typical for the industry to who's the best medical professionals, or trainers in the off-season.      

 

As far as investments, most agents try to separate themselves from that.  They may have a firm they recommend based on past history of other clients, but few AGENTs  provide investment advice other to warn off possible trouble issues.   And any agent who doesn't I'd be wary of. 

Finally, to all the parents who's son is a 1st or 2nd year pro.   The Bat contracts that agents provide may disappear as the player slows progress to the majors.   My son had sponsors for his bats the first two years and then it dwindled to a dozen a year, and now he buys most of his own...  Which requires a significant chunk of his salary.   He still gets Gloves and cleats, and batting gloves.