Free-agent infielder Jed Lowrie is now represented by agent Casey Close of Excel Sports Management, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. He’d previously been a client of Brodie Van Wagenen and CAA Sports, but Van Wagenen’s decision to accept the position as the new general manager of the Mets sent Lowrie in search of new representation.
Lowrie, 35 in April, is the first of what could be several agency switches coming in the wake of Van Wagenen’s stunning appointment as the new GM in Queens. In shifting from CAA/Van Wagenen to Excel/Close, he’ll be jumping from one major agency/agent to another. Close is among the highest-profile agents in the industry, representing names like Derek Jeter, Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, Jason Heyward, Masahiro Tanaka, Dexter Fowler and many more.
The switch-hitting Lowrie is coming off the best two-year stretch of a fine 11-year MLB career, having batted a combined .272/.356/.448 with 37 homers, 86 doubles and four triples in 1325 plate appearances over the past two seasons with the Athletics. While both Lowrie and the Athletics organization have made mutual interest in a reunion publicly known, there’s yet to be a new agreement brokered between the two sides. Of course, as Rosenthal points out, the fact that Lowrie has been in the process of finding a new agent — to say nothing of the fact that his former agent was going through an intense interview process — has likely slowed things down.
While Lowrie has indicated that he’d like to return to the A’s, however, he’ll surely find a robust market in free agency. He’s a versatile defender capable of handling three infield spots, including terrific defense at second base, making him appealing to a wide number of clubs. Beyond the A’s, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see any of the Angels, Twins, Indians, Yankees, Red Sox, Nationals, Mets, Brewers, Cubs, Rockies or Dodgers (among others) at least explore the possibility of adding Lowrie into their infield rotations.
Lowrie’s change in representation, along with any subsequent changes stemming from Van Wagenen’s career change, can be viewed in MLBTR’s Agency Database. If you see any notable errors or omissions, please let us know via email: mlbtrdatabase@gmail.com.
In other breaking news the Los Angeles Dodgers are taking estimates on weed eating the weeds in the parking lot
Lol, my feeling exactly. who needs to hear about a change of agent? Just do a review of the player, probably get more eyeballs….
Not likely, if the notoriously shady Frank McCourt negotiated voting rights into his 50% stake in the company that owns and maintains the Dodger Stadium parking lots!!
Is it more expensive to have a person as your agent opposed to a management group?
“A person” typically works for an agency, i.e. “management group.” It probably depends on how prominent the agency is; for example, being represented by Scott Boras (of Boras Corp) is likely more expensive than Johnny No-Name of XYZ Agency.
Agency commissions are pretty much standard, with maximum allowable commissions typically set and governed by state law.
Superstar-level clients do sometimes negotiate discounts or caps with the agency or management firm that wins the right to represent them, so it may sometimes be *less* expensive for the highest-earning players to be represented by the larger agencies and firms.
How come Bryce or Manny don’t represent themselves like David Robertson?
Negotiating skill. Most players have their agents do all the contract negotiations, but Robertson feels it’s in his best interest to handle all of it himself this offseason.
Robertson has already been through the process as well. And he’s probably looking at 3 years max anyways. His contract isn’t going to be near as complicated or lengthy as a Harper/Machado deal so i don’t think they really correlate.
Why Manny Machado isn’t representing himself is rhetorical isn’t it ….and first of all the old saying someone who represents himself has a fool for a client …well.. that’s already been established
Machado and Harper do not care what Robertson does
At the same time, Agents don’t just represent Players during contract negotiations, but they handle a lot of day-to-day duties, sponsorship deals, appearances etc.
Not every pro-ballplayer wants to spend their time doing administrative things continually.
He’d be a perfect fit on the Brewers.
He would fit most teams
Mets know just how much to offer.
Mets GM and agent reportedly close.
Really good that he found himself. He was always viewed as an above average player coming up with Boston but he simply couldn’t stay healthy and was given away.
plays terrific d at 2b and hits? where do the dodgers sign up??? haven’t had a great 2b hit…
Mets sign Lowrie. Trade Matz, McNeil and Vientos to Fla for Realmuto.