Believe it or not, I get this question a lot. And hey, why shouldn't I? I'm a professional athlete- I get paid to play baseball. Shouldn't I have someone watching my back, promoting my worth, and negotiating major endorsements on my behalf? I'd have to be crazy to not have some form of representation to at least serve as a mediator between myself and the organization- right?
The truth is, I can't help but smile when people ask me about an agent. Me? An agent?
For that split second, I feel like a big deal. Just being asked the question- being associated with the term "agent"- intitiates a mental montage of Ari Gold, Scott Boras, Drew Rosenhaus, and Jerry Maguire's greatest hits.
I think to myself, "Why the hell would I need an agent? I was a senior who signed for almost nothing and I make a uniform monthly salary- what's there to negotiate?" I sit there, almost embarrassed as I realize this person thinks I'm a bigger star than I actually am.
To be honest, I could have an agent. Hell, I even spoke to a few before the draft about a possible relationship- but in the end, it just didn't make enough sense to me.
As a late-round senior, my signing bonus was essentially pre-determined- not much negotiating to be done there. And once you start pro-ball, every player of the same draft class makes the same amount regardless of draft round, organization, or potential as a prospect. You see slight pay increases throughout the levels, but it's years before you actually get to the point of negotiating a contract. I receive a standard MiLB monthly salary- what would an agent do for me?
