Let’s check in on the latest agency movement from around the game …
- As he hits the open market, veteran shortstop Jordy Mercer will be represented by the Boras Corporation, per Robert Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link). At 32 years of age, the long-time Pirates stalwart figures to find interest mostly as a reserve. Mercer has failed to turn in more than a 90 wRC+ in any of the past four seasons and grades out as an average (or below-average) defender up the middle, so he seems destined for utility status. Of course, that could still change if a second-division club likes him and has a clear need.
- High-end young Braves reliever A.J. Minter will henceforth be represented by Excel Sports Manager, also via Murray (via Twitter). Though he only just turned in his first full MLB season, and won’t reach arbitration until 2021, Minter is already building a case for a big eventual run through the arb process. The hard-throwing southpaw picked up 15 saves and a dozen holds while pitching to a 3.23 ERA in 61 1/3 frames.
- Twins prospect Blayne Enlow is now with the Wasseman Media Group, Dan Hayes of The Athletic tweets. The 19-year-old hasn’t yet moved past the Class A level, so he has a long ways to go until his new reps are negotiating MLB contracts. But the recent third-round pick is generally tabbed as one of the organization’s top ten prospects.
- As ever, you can keep up with current representation using MLBTR’s Agency Database.
Excel sports manager “will henceforth” represent A.J. Minter? Just like in Episode III Palpatine said “you shall henceforth be known as Darth Vader”?!?! Is A.J. Minter Vader?!?!?
Emperor Palpatine as Excel Sports Manager?! I foresee lots of deception and manipulation coming to Minter!
How does someone get into a sports agent gig? This seems like legal thievery.
Law school and very cut throat industry.
I don’t think you have to be a lawyer. You can get a degree in Sports Mgmt and register with the league as an agent. A law degree would help with the legal terms in most contracts and the collective bargaining aspects in each league!!
When I was looking at career paths going into my freshman year of college a few years ago, I read most established agencies wouldn’t touch you unless you had a law degree. This is because of what you said, you need to be able to negotiate fair contracts on the behalf of someone else, both with a team and any endorsements, and understand the CBA in depth. Now some players enlist friends and family, but that is an entirely different scenario.