Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
August 27, 2008
Contract Conniptions

Scott Boras claims the contract signed by Pittsburgh's first round pick, Pedro Alvarez, is invalid. From the quotes coming out of the Pirates camp, the dispute appears to be centered on timing:

"In fact, the contract between the Kansas City Royals and Eric Hosmer, another Boras client, was submitted to the office of the commissioner after our contract with Pedro was submitted," Coonelly said. "Mr. Boras is apparently satisfied with the $6 million bonus that he secured for Mr. Hosmer and has not challenged the validity of that contract. Mr. Boras has been informed that if he pursues a claim that our contract with Pedro was not timely, he puts Eric Hosmer's contract with Kansas City in jeopardy."

Hosmer, drafted immediately behind Alvarez, also received a $6 million signing bonus. No. 5 pick Buster Posey also got more from the Giants - $6.2 million - than Alvarez did from the Pirates.

Alaverz is now on the restricted list, meaning he can't play for anyone until this is settled. Of course, maybe Boras is right, and he does indeed want to put Hosmer's contract in jeopardy. I could imagine if Boras proved the timing was off, an arbitrator might make both players free agents.


Posted by David Pinto at 03:11 PM | Draft | TrackBack (0)
Comments

They wouldn't be free agents, would they? They would just be unsigned players so they would go back in the draft next season, or in the case of Hosmer off to Arizona State, right?

If that's correct, then the Pirates and Royals would have 4of the first picks next season. Using today's standings it would go: Nationals, Mariners/Padres, Pirates, Mariners/Padres, Royals, Royals, Pirates. That would be kind of interesting.

Posted by: Tom at August 27, 2008 04:11 PM

Hosmer probably doesn't have eligibility anymore. He'd have to go indy too.

Posted by: Tyler at August 27, 2008 04:32 PM

hosmer has already played two professional games, i don't know how he could go back to college.

just b/c there might be claim to the validity of alvarez's contract doesn't therefore become applicable to hosmers. both contracts are likely very different.

also, i don't think its in boras' interest to make the highest HS contract he's negotiated in years become invalid.


Posted by: jeff at August 27, 2008 04:37 PM

Tom,

If the Pirates falsified the timing of the deal, or falsified that they had an agreement, I assume Boras would ask for damages. If I were Boras, I'd ask that the player be declared a free agent.

Posted by: David Pinto at August 27, 2008 04:41 PM

I didn't realize that Hosmer had played a game already.

Didn't they change the rules on the loophole free agents like Travis Lee and Matt White?

Isn't Boras saying that the contract was signed after the deadline so therefore it's not valid? I don't know how that could make Alvarez as free agent.

Posted by: Tom at August 27, 2008 04:49 PM

According to Jim Callis of BaseballAmerica in his chat today, the Pirates and Royals both got extension from MLB on Alvarez and Hosmer.

Alvarez signed his contract before Hosmer signed his.

Pittsburgh is saying if Boras wants to claim the Alvarez contract was signed past the deadline, than the same must be said about Hosmer's.

Boras also wants more time to negotiate. If the contract didn't meet the deadline, than how in the world can he have an extension? the deadline is passed, therefore Alvarez would go back into the draft next year.

Posted by: Boomer at August 27, 2008 05:19 PM

Note that it was not Boras who filed the complaint but rather it was the players association that did it.

Posted by: steve at August 27, 2008 09:26 PM
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