Feb
13

Next On The Agenda: B.J. Upton

By | Arbitration, Contract Negotiation, Headline, MLB Players, MLB Teams

15 Comments

B.J. Upton is the 2nd player to reach an arbitration hearing this February.  Corey Hart was the first, and in his case, the panel of arbitrators handed Hart the victory, and $4.8 million (compared to the Brewers’ offer of $4.15 million).  Upton’s has already had his hearing yesterday, and one of the 3 panelists (Elizabeth Neumeier) also sat in on Hart’s hearing.

Upton earned $435,000 in 2009.  Before reaching arbitration, the Tampa Bay Rays offered $3 million.  Upton countered with a $3.3 million proposal.  The relatively small gap of $300,000 was enough of an incentive for the parties to pay their attorneys to prepare for and execute an arbitration hearing.

An announced decision is expected later today.  Tampa Bay has never lost an arbitration hearing (4-0 record), but that really doesn’t mean anything.  With Tim Lincecum coming to an agreement with the San Francisco Giants prior to his hearing, Upton is now the focus of the baseball world (at least for the next few hours).

Here is how the guys at FanGraphs project Upton in 2010.

Related posts:

  1. Arbitrators May Break Corey Hart
  2. Early Report That Corey Hart Won
  3. Comparing Corey Hart To Hunter Pence
  4. New high MLB signing bonus
  5. Alfonso Soriano’s arbitration case
  • Preston Knowles

    Thanks for the arbitration-related posts. This is exactly what I think this site should do more of (like the “let’s make a deal” concept) – while I know Dynasty Reps prides itself on marketing, social media (in addition to personal attention, etc.), I think that the agent’s main role is to negotiate player contracts (see the trend with football players hire a separate agency for marketing purposes). How skilled are you (or personnel at Dynasty) as arbitration/salary negotiations? With Parise, I really want to see that guy make the Major Leauge squad this year, but when will he make money? Won’t it be six years of service until he is a free agent? Can an agent charge during arbitration years (after 3 years of Parise making close to the minimum, right)? How much does a middle reliever make in arbitration years? With Tampa Bay, I read that they didn’t think the $300,000 gap was enough of an incentive for the parties to pay their attorneys but they have a strict policy that if they file and exchange numbers with the player, they always go to a hearing. As an agent, do you have access to all of the contract information for MLB players? Thanks and keep up the great work.

    • http://www.sportsagentblog.com Darren Heitner

      I was at the top of my class in Negotiations & Mediation at UF Law. We are also well connected to many experts (including leading statisticians) who are hired to prepare for arbitration. We have not yet been a part of an MLB arbitration, but neither is any other agent when he first starts out. I am fully confident that when/if I ever do have an arbitration hearing for one of my clients, I will diligently represent him.

      I also want to see Parise make the MLB squad. He will make money immediately, but yes, 6 years before a free agent with many years of possible arbitration. There is no reason that an agent would not be able to charge during arbitration years. We cannot take commission if he is at the minimum, however.

      I read the same thing about Tampa Bay’s strict policy. A great source for contract information is: http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.sportsagentblog.com Darren Heitner

    B.J. Upton lost his case. The Rays will pay Upton $3 million instead of his requested $3.3 million.

  • Preston Knowles

    Thanks, DH! Great insights and that website is helpful for me to try to learn about this stuff. I have confidence you have and will continue to do a great job for your clients. Keep up the great work. After you graduate, will you be focusing full-time on running Dynasty? Any chance you’ll get your first NBA or NFL draft pick this year?

    • http://www.sportsagentblog.com Darren Heitner

      Focusing full-time on Dynasty is the plan. I think we are closer to getting our first NBA pick than our first NFL pick, but I think we still may be a year off from an NBA pick. Expect quite a few MLB picks, though.

      • John Baldano

        Hey Darren, which players do you have signed for the NFL draft or is it too early to ask?

        • http://www.sportsagentblog.com Darren Heitner

          Truthfully, I am focusing on the players we already represent. I have put recruiting for football entirely in the hands of my Football Division director.

  • John Baldano

    Thanks for the response. By the way I was going through spring training rosters and saw your client Atahualpa Severino was added to the 40 man roster for the nationals I wanted to say congradulations. I am still trying to learn more about baseball and if I remember he finished the season at AA, so can he realistically make it to the MLB like parise this year or does he still have another year or so? Thanks and congrads once again!

    • http://www.sportsagentblog.com Darren Heitner

      Severino is no longer a client.

      • John Baldano

        Oh ok sorry to hear that. How common is client stealing in the agent business? Is this your first client that you lost? Makes me not want to be an agent anymore lol

        • http://www.sportsagentblog.com Darren Heitner

          Client stealing is very common. 2nd client we have lost, but the 1st client has recently called and seems to want to take us back. We were told that Severino left because he was offered a cell phone and his brother was offered a job. If that’s what it takes, then good riddance!

          • John Baldano

            wow LOL @ a cell phone. The joke is on the agent who offered a cell phone, because if this athlete is willing to accept this type of small bribe as a minor leaguer, he will most likely be taking the bigger bribes from other agents if he ever gets called to the big show. Sometimes its better to cut your losses and stay away from these slimeball type clients!

          • http://www.sportsagentblog.com Darren Heitner

            I agree with your statements. Better I find out the type of guy he is now instead of right before I’d be in position to negotiate a big contract on his behalf.

  • El sudzo

    Wouldn’t getting a client a cell phone to make him happy and getting you certified as an agent be worth it???

    • http://www.sportsagentblog.com Darren Heitner

      1) He never expressed his desire for me to purchase him a cell phone, and 2) No, it would not be worth it. If a player is willing to leave an agent over a cell phone, I don’t want him. I want clients that want someone who can represent them in contractual negotiations, not someone who will buy them toys.

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