Why do I need an agent?

More conjecture than experience.  Some from a friend who worked for Hendrix sports management as the liaison between latin american minor leaguers and Hendrix Sports Management.

If I’m going to sign for slot money why do I need an agent? If they know you don't have an agent, you will be for certain they will offer less than slot.

If I’m moving through the minor leagues in an expected manner why do i need an agent? The pay through the minors to rookie hear in MLB is very structured.  Get you spikes, sunglasses, gear and swag.  This is the stuff that can entice a minor leaguer to sign with an agent, at least in the situation I described above.

Go44dad posted:

More conjecture than experience.  Some from a friend who worked for Hendrix sports management as the liaison between latin american minor leaguers and Hendrix Sports Management.

If I’m going to sign for slot money why do I need an agent? If they know you don't have an agent, you will be for certain they will offer less than slot.

If I’m moving through the minor leagues in an expected manner why do i need an agent? The pay through the minors to rookie hear in MLB is very structured.  Get you spikes, sunglasses, gear and swag.  This is the stuff that can entice a minor leaguer to sign with an agent, at least in the situation I described above.

Both above are certainly true. I really feel that pre draft if it is stressed that you would not sign for less than slot & they draft you, you may have them try but ultimately, if you stay the course, you will get what was agreed pre draft.

If you make it & get to Arbitration, I would think it may be a spot where some experience could be beneficial.

Agents can also have good contacts for training or injury issues, and they can provide another ear to listen when struggles happen.  In the event that you are cut loose, they have contacts that can give you another chance.

Because advisors (agents) that are decent have relationships with teams.  During the weeks that lead up to the draft, they can have a very good feel of who is truly interested and who likely is not.  If there are pre-draft workouts, which ones make the most sense to attend.  If you review the actual signing bonus paid list, there are a lot of signings both above and below slot.  They have a good understanding of the bonus pool structures and may be able to influence draft selection based on their clients and/or a team's willingness to sign above or below slot.  They can provide gear to minor leaguers after they sign a contract.  They can help with legal advice as necessary.  They can provide general advocacy and are a resource for many of life's complications along the minor league path. 

Steve A. posted:

Go44dad posted:

More conjecture than experience.  Some from a friend who worked for Hendrix sports management as the liaison between latin american minor leaguers and Hendrix Sports Management.

If I’m going to sign for slot money why do I need an agent? If they know you don't have an agent, you will be for certain they will offer less than slot.

If I’m moving through the minor leagues in an expected manner why do i need an agent? The pay through the minors to rookie hear in MLB is very structured.  Get you spikes, sunglasses, gear and swag.  This is the stuff that can entice a minor leaguer to sign with an agent, at least in the situation I described above.

Both above are certainly true. I really feel that pre draft if it is stressed that you would not sign for less than slot & they draft you, you may have them try but ultimately, if you stay the course, you will get what was agreed pre draft.

If you make it & get to Arbitration, I would think it may be a spot where some experience could be beneficial.

If you are a predicted early round pick, you will want an agent. You more or less can gage how well you might do in the next draft, by the agents that are contacting you. He will be able to guide you through the process so that your choice will be an informed one based on what's best for you and your family, not him. Also, very important, how will your agent assist you if you are injured. What plans does he have to help you make money. Most guys get card deals and endorsements with companies.  Keep in mind that unless you are one of those big bonus guys, most agents will not talk to your organization unless they contact you. The organization owns you, not your agent.

 It's important to do your homework about anyone asking to represent you and the agency he works for.  Ask specific questions regarding things like does he have any guys on the 40 and has he ever been through arbitration with a client.  Once you sign with an agency, they might assign you to a new guy. He will be the contact for you. Only a few newly drafted guys get to be clients of high powered agents. Ask what the fee you pay them is for. Understand that these guys stick with you hoping you will sign a contract with a ML team and that, is where they will make their big bucks off you someday.

Some guys like small agencies. Some guys stick with their agents through the long haul. 

MLB discourages agents from hanging around ballparks trying to pick up players. If you are an up and coming player without an agent, they contact your organization. 

My son was and still is very lucky. Drafted in 2007, he and his agent still remain in touch on a regular basis. It's been a great relationship.  You want a guy who will stick with you through good and bad times. When son was injured, he was told he had to use the head team doctor, that's not true. Just one example how an experienced agent, with their knowledge and connections can save you lots of time and frustration.

TPM posted:

Steve A. posted:

Go44dad posted:

More conjecture than experience.  Some from a friend who worked for Hendrix sports management as the liaison between latin american minor leaguers and Hendrix Sports Management.

If I’m going to sign for slot money why do I need an agent? If they know you don't have an agent, you will be for certain they will offer less than slot.

If I’m moving through the minor leagues in an expected manner why do i need an agent? The pay through the minors to rookie hear in MLB is very structured.  Get you spikes, sunglasses, gear and swag.  This is the stuff that can entice a minor leaguer to sign with an agent, at least in the situation I described above.

Both above are certainly true. I really feel that pre draft if it is stressed that you would not sign for less than slot & they draft you, you may have them try but ultimately, if you stay the course, you will get what was agreed pre draft.

If you make it & get to Arbitration, I would think it may be a spot where some experience could be beneficial.

If you are a predicted early round pick, you will want an agent. You more or less can gage how well you might do in the next draft, by the agents that are contacting you. He will be able to guide you through the process so that your choice will be an informed one based on what's best for you and your family, not him. Also, very important, how will your agent assist you if you are injured. What plans does he have to help you make money. Most guys get card deals and endorsements with companies.  Keep in mind that unless you are one of those big bonus guys, most agents will not talk to your organization unless they contact you. The organization owns you, not your agent.

 It's important to do your homework about anyone asking to represent you and the agency he works for.  Ask specific questions regarding things like does he have any guys on the 40 and has he ever been through arbitration with a client.  Once you sign with an agency, they might assign you to a new guy. He will be the contact for you. Only a few newly drafted guys get to be clients of high powered agents. Ask what the fee you pay them is for. Understand that these guys stick with you hoping you will sign a contract with a ML team and that, is where they will make their big bucks off you someday.

Some guys like small agencies. Some guys stick with their agents through the long haul. 

MLB discourages agents from hanging around ballparks trying to pick up players. If you are an up and coming player without an agent, they contact your organization. 

My son was and still is very lucky. Drafted in 2007, he and his agent still remain in touch on a regular basis. It's been a great relationship.  You want a guy who will stick with you through good and bad times. When son was injured, he was told he had to use the head team doctor, that's not true. Just one example how an experienced agent, with their knowledge and connections can save you lots of time and frustration.

Couldn't have said it better TPM, great advice.  I will tag onto this by recommending an advisor who your son (not you) is most compatible with.  This includes personalities, thoughts, views on success and failures, etc.  His agent will be someone who son can confide in, both baseball journey and indirect baseball paths (girls, lifestyle, survival).  Go slow if possible.  Took over a year for son to pick an advisor out of about 15.  As far as I know no regrets either. 

Sons met advisor in HS his senior year. He didnt believe that he should consider the draft out of HS. Their relationship really began when he was a freshman. He never talked to anyone else. Thats going on 14 years. 

This is a funny business and you can't survive without trusting those who will guide you along the way.

TPM, . This player/advisor relationship is very important! 

OK, SteveA brought up Arbitration, which can be a little tricky. Figure  6-7 years atleast  before a player may even become eligible. It's all about MLB service time & may take 5 yrs before players' debut. This link will take you to a glossary of terms & definitions that is very helpful...

http://m.mlb.com/glossary/tran...s/salary-arbitration

And, I'd recommend that those who are looking at being drafted, or are currently in the minors, to visit our forums Going Pro & Ask the Scout...Read all of what bbscout (Doug McMillan) had to say. & read it again & again!

His agent will be someone who son can confide in, both baseball journey and indirect baseball paths (girls, lifestyle, survival).

This is something I thought about one day. How do young adults with money for the first time sort out the gold diggers from women who actually care about them. If you start making 1M+ can the girl next door and you relate or are you better off dating a woman who makes a lot of money and/or is also a celebrity? How do you maneuver being part of the community without it eating you alive? How do you go out on the town and deal with tough guys who want a piece of you to prove they’re special.

I once witnessed a MLBer being bothered for an autograph while he was dining out with friends in a nice restaurant. The player told the person if he waited in the lobby until he was done dining he would be glad to sign. A few days later there was a letter to the sports page he was a jerk for blowing off a fan in a restaurant. 

To this day Charles Barkley has one of my favorite lines about being confronted by a tough guy. When asked if he had any regrets he threw him through a window Barkley responded, “I only regret we were on the first floor.”

baseballmom posted:

TPM, . This player/advisor relationship is very important! 

OK, SteveA brought up Arbitration, which can be a little tricky. Figure  6-7 years atleast  before a player may even become eligible. It's all about MLB service time & may take 5 yrs before players' debut. This link will take you to a glossary of terms & definitions that is very helpful...

http://m.mlb.com/glossary/tran...s/salary-arbitration

And, I'd recommend that those who are looking at being drafted, or are currently in the minors, to visit our forums Going Pro & Ask the Scout...Read all of what bbscout (Doug McMillan) had to say. & read it again & again!

Good post.  6 or 7 years in to arbitration as  ML guy doesn't happen for most. It's a good question though, the answer gives away how green the guy is. You want to be his experiment, or his client. I am just repeating what was told to me.

FWIW, the average time a player is in ML ball is 4 years. 

I think with an agent it is less likely that you get lowballed a lot. Maybe a little but teams and agents both know about what the player is worth and how far you can go in negotiations.

Maybe with strong  nerves and some experience you can do it yourself but I would be afraid that I would panick when they try to play games and then make a bad decision. Even if you are a decent negotiator you will still be emotionally involved while the agent is less invested and sees that as a pure  business decision.

Dominik85 posted:

I think with an agent it is less likely that you get lowballed a lot. Maybe a little but teams and agents both know about what the player is worth and how far you can go in negotiations.

 

Maybe with strong  nerves and some experience you can do it yourself but I would be afraid that I would panick when they try to play games and then make a bad decision. Even if you are a decent negotiator you will still be emotionally involved while the agent is less invested and sees that as a pure  business decision.

Each slot in the first ten rounds has a value. The value can move up or down depending on the player, freshman or senior with no eligibility left. In some cases its pretty cut and dry. Its the way it is so negotiations dont occur, of course unless you are pretty much in the top 50 pick give or take.

Anyone in the first few rounds where the real money is definetly needs some help in navigating but there has been some serious talk beforehand on predraft deals. Most of the time it isnt a surprise to the top prospects.  In other rounds it can be pretty cut and dry. You get a call from the team asking if you will take x$$$$ if no they move on. You dont really need an agent for that but maybe afterwards for particulars like $$$ for school which is added to the basic MILB players contract as an addendum.

BTW everyone make sure that you receive a copy of the MLB scholarship plan in advance and fully understand how it works.

True after the first 10 rounds everything can be up for grabs but very few millionaires are born there.

IMO a good agent helps you to understand the importance of the college experience rather than wasting time in the lowest of low in the milb system.

JMO

TPM posted:

Dominik85 posted:

I think with an agent it is less likely that you get lowballed a lot. Maybe a little but teams and agents both know about what the player is worth and how far you can go in negotiations.

 

Maybe with strong  nerves and some experience you can do it yourself but I would be afraid that I would panick when they try to play games and then make a bad decision. Even if you are a decent negotiator you will still be emotionally involved while the agent is less invested and sees that as a pure  business decision.

Each slot in the first ten rounds has a value. The value can move up or down depending on the player, freshman or senior with no eligibility left. In some cases its pretty cut and dry. Its the way it is so negotiations dont occur, of course unless you are pretty much in the top 50 pick give or take.

Anyone in the first few rounds where the real money is definetly needs some help in navigating but there has been some serious talk beforehand on predraft deals. Most of the time it isnt a surprise to the top prospects.  In other rounds it can be pretty cut and dry. You get a call from the team asking if you will take x$$$$ if no they move on. You dont really need an agent for that but maybe afterwards for particulars like $$$ for school which is added to the basic MILB players contract as an addendum.

BTW everyone make sure that you receive a copy of the MLB scholarship plan in advance and fully understand how it works.

True after the first 10 rounds everything can be up for grabs but very few millionaires are born there.

IMO a good agent helps you to understand the importance of the college experience rather than wasting time in the lowest of low in the milb system.

JMO

 

Not completely sure but during the draft advisor received calls from MLB teams playing "what ifs" and trying to get a feel for where player is at.  When it was their turn to select (clock was started), phone call to advisor/son with an offer.  Son basically had maybe 30 seconds to say yes/no.  To me it would seem extremely difficult to negotiate anything major at this time, not to mention the pressures.   Advisor already had son prepared, thus another factor for an advisor.

It was a relief for son to say, on the early morning of draft day, when a team called with an offer, "please contact my advisor".  Worth every penny (or several hundred thousand dollars in this case).  

Trust In Him is correct.  Son got a call from his advisor several minutes before his name was called.  He knew the team and round and was prepared to say Thank You.  Son didn't tell us since anything can happen, so it was a surprise to mom and dad and his former high school coaches that were with us at lunch.

Someone whom I trust in the baseball world said he didn't need an advisor.  However, several advisors came calling and one through a coach, through a friend, etc.   HE chose the one that he felt the most comfortable.  We have never met him. 

I still believe that son went higher in the draft because of his advisor, but I can't prove that.

You both described how it works, as the same for son, his agent got the call because he was at regional site in practice. So the decision was made for him.  That was discussed in advance as to the plan.

My point is there is no negotiating during that phone call, it's either yes or no, so in most cases getting an agent should be to educate you on the process before the call, not afterwards.

Later round picks do not necessarily need an agent.

I read some old texts the other while searching for something else on my phone and was reminded how important it is to get a solid advisor if you want that support through the process. Son's in HS was not the greatest, is no longer there and while reading the texts from 2015..i wondered if he ever really even talked to the teams he told me about? I was such an excitable Dad and in the end, nothing happened. When you have a good advisor, it really draws a stark comparison to the not so good ones. Hopefully you never experience that and get a good egg right off the bat. College was def the right choice for my son, i think he would tell you that too. 

RJM posted:

His agent will be someone who son can confide in, both baseball journey and indirect baseball paths (girls, lifestyle, survival).

This is something I thought about one day. How do young adults with money for the first time sort out the gold diggers from women who actually care about them. If you start making 1M+ can the girl next door and you relate or are you better off dating a woman who makes a lot of money and/or is also a celebrity? How do you maneuver being part of the community without it eating you alive? How do you go out on the town and deal with tough guys who want a piece of you to prove they’re special.

I once witnessed a MLBer being bothered for an autograph while he was dining out with friends in a nice restaurant. The player told the person if he waited in the lobby until he was done dining he would be glad to sign. A few days later there was a letter to the sports page he was a jerk for blowing off a fan in a restaurant. 

To this day Charles Barkley has one of my favorite lines about being confronted by a tough guy. When asked if he had any regrets he threw him through a window Barkley responded, “I only regret we were on the first floor.”

Most of sons friends in the pro game are A. married to HS sweetheart  B. married to college sweetheart. C. still single

Most are intelligent enough to understand who to trust and who not to trust. HS drafted players seem to get into more trouble.

That's why its a good idea to grow up in college.

I came from the Basketball world, so it is different but similar.  Had lots of friends and acquaintances in the NBA, and a few in the NFL.

Pro athletes need agents as a shield and go between for dozens of things.  There can be tons of distractions from people who want to invest your money, borrow your money, & hire you to make appearances at events charitable and non-charitable.  And then there are the potential endorsement deals and disasters, the gold digging memorabilia dealers, not to mention for those lower on the totem pole:  offseason employment.

Everything in life is negotiable.  An agent can likely find you better deals on trainers & instructors in the offseason, and maybe have the connections to get you in the door of an elite trainer's gym that early on in your career you couldn't get on your own.  As mentioned they can help you with gear.

Pro sports is an unforgiving environment.  You have to be able to produce or you are forced out.  With all the distractions and so many people coming at you at once from so many directions, it is extremely helpful to be able to smile and say "hey thanks a lot, here's my agent's number, give him a call" and get back to business.

And that is in addition to 100% needing agents to handle negotiations with teams.

In baseball only a few drafted players really need agents at first. You dont need anyone to help you het drafted for small bonus and there really isnt much an agent can do for you if you make 1100 a month before taxes. 

Once a player starts to become a better prospect than expected he will have an opportunity to have his choice of agents.

3and2Fastball posted:

I came from the Basketball world, so it is different but similar.  Had lots of friends and acquaintances in the NBA, and a few in the NFL.

Pro athletes need agents as a shield and go between for dozens of things.  There can be tons of distractions from people who want to invest your money, borrow your money, & hire you to make appearances at events charitable and non-charitable.  And then there are the potential endorsement deals and disasters, the gold digging memorabilia dealers, not to mention for those lower on the totem pole:  offseason employment.

Everything in life is negotiable.  An agent can likely find you better deals on trainers & instructors in the offseason, and maybe have the connections to get you in the door of an elite trainer's gym that early on in your career you couldn't get on your own.  As mentioned they can help you with gear.

Pro sports is an unforgiving environment.  You have to be able to produce or you are forced out.  With all the distractions and so many people coming at you at once from so many directions, it is extremely helpful to be able to smile and say "hey thanks a lot, here's my agent's number, give him a call" and get back to business.

And that is in addition to 100% needing agents to handle negotiations with teams.

3and2 is spot on. It is so difficult for professional athletes to have to worry about this kind of stuff.  Let them play the game, concentrate, learn and let the agents be the filter and the bad guy who says no.

TPM posted:

In baseball only a few drafted players really need agents at first. You dont need anyone to help you het drafted for small bonus and there really isnt much an agent can do for you if you make 1100 a month before taxes. 

Once a player starts to become a better prospect than expected he will have an opportunity to have his choice of agents.

 

Just curious and wondering at what point do agents consider a draft player not beneficial for their return on investment?  5th round, 10th round, beyond?

I will preface this by saying I don't know Nick Roscetti personally, I just happen to be following his career as I'm a hard core Brewers fan.

Nick was drafted in the 26th Round by the Brewers after a successful 4 year career with the University of Iowa.  I don't know if Nick has an agent or not, that is besides the point, I'm using him as an example.  Even though Nick is currently hitting .370 in A Ball, he is considered a long shot to make the Majors, as he's 24 years old and, again, was a 26th Round draft pick.

How could Nick benefit from an agent?  For many of the reasons I illustrated above in my previous post. Especially in regards to his upcoming offseason and opportunities he might have to make money teaching lessons, doing clinics, training kids, both where he went to college and in Wisconsin as a "Brewers prospect".  And as a 26th Round pick just trying to make it to another year of MiLB ball, he is going to need training.  The better trainers the better, especially in terms of hitting & strength & agility.  An agent is better positioned to negotiate a deal than Nick could himself (the elite hitting coach trains Nick, Nick works with some of the 8 year olds in for hitting lessons, that kind of thing).

Maybe Nick's name in Iowa City can lead to some minor endorsement deals in that town?  Even a few hundred dollars here & there can really help a minor leaguer scraping to get by.

Anyways, being a minor league ballplayer is hard enough work without having to figure out all of those logistics and more...

How much to the jock chasers know about players? Back in the 80’s I was sitting in The Catch in Anaheim with a friend who played on a MLB team at the time. There were three other team members sitting with us. One of them tipped the hostess to allow us to sit in the closed restaurant area to have a few beers. He wanted to a oid the bar crowd.

As two women left the bar we looked up when one exclaimed, “There are five more!” 

The other responded while pointing, “Those three are married and don't cheat. That one is scary crazy. The other guy isn't on the team. 

Another time in the hotel bar (one of the few teams who allowed players in the hotel bar) I was chatting with the “girlfriend” of a player of the same team. I asked how they manage to see each other enough. She explained he was one if eleven MLB boyfriends. She probably celebrated expansion.

Whether an agent is needed depends upon each player and family. Finding the right agent is tough - and depends upon a research, recommendations, and luck.

I understand the position that a player earning 1100/mo doesn't need an agent. I'll look at the other side of that. 

My son earned that princely sum and did pay his agent the 4%. For that he got annually multiple pairs of cleats (players need to buy their own), gloves (ditto), clothes, access to a sports psychologist, annual retreats where he could hang with other players up the chain, seminars on taxes, investments, health, nutrition, etc. Got this for his $260+\- per year - not a bad deal. If he didn't get the items (gloves, cleats) he/us would have purchased it.

In conversations I had with an asst GM (now a manager), he hated agents calling him about released players. He wanted the player to make the approach (said every talk with an agent looking to have a player signed wound up being told what a crap team and players the organization had and that's why the player should be signed).

I don't believe an agent can move a kid's position on a draft board based upon talent; an agent can move a kid based upon bonus demands. I have seen agents get scouts to watch individual workouts as well as watch games - just like a competent personal coach or HS or college coach could also do. I have seen released players get signed out of the workouts. My point isn't that the agent accomplished what no one else could; just that he can be a piece of the puzzle under the right circumstances.

The first time we went through the draft (HS) no agent was needed. W and I were pretty firmly in favor of college and his personal coach had a great deal of familiarity with the draft (with the bias strongly to going pro from HS). We were able to come up with a number and deal with the clubs - and he wasn't going to be a single digit pick.

The second time, he had given up on pro baseball after three disastrous collegiate seasons, but the release of that pressure somehow allowed it all to come together as a senior. After getting some crazy number of scouts at the latter season games (see below), he felt he wanted some professional help and went with an agent his baseball buds had. It was cheap and it worked out. As a senior budget pick he had limited negotiating power, but did manage to snag a decent bonus as he was contacted by various clubs during the draft (agent helped him to not price out of market).

When S was released, agent immediately called and gave him emotional support (getting fired from the first real job is hard), and offered to find him another club. S had had enough; the game wasn't any fun and he wound up turning down multiple offers to sign. But the agent did help - son was the example of an agent investing in a whiff of promise and actually delivering a lot more then the agent received.

There is no right and wrong; only educated consumers can make that decision.

An agent also serves as an important conduit of tough information. There are things the agent will tell the team that you don't want to hear, and there are things the agent will tell you that the team doesn't want to hear. Keeping that barrier between you and the team is pretty valuable as you move forward in the game, especially once you are nearing a call-up or 40-man assignment.

There's a business component of professional baseball, and it is usually best to let a professional negotiator handle it while you handle the on-field work like a professional and don't preoccupy yourself with something you aren't trained to handle.