The Despicable Furcal Deal

As someone who knows a little bit about the process of signing a baseball free agent, I was taken aback by the actions of Rafeal Furcal and his agent Paul Kinzer. On Monday, the Braves had thought they had an agreement with Furcal to sign with them for 3 years and $30 million. They had faxed over a signed terms agreement on Tuesday morning. This should have sealed the deal. All Kinzer needed to do was sign the terms agreement and fax it back to the Braves and the contract would have been binding. Instead Kinzer apparently took the agreement from the Braves to the Dodgers front office to get them to up their offer to sign the player. The Dodgers apparently went to $33 million for 3 years and Furcal agreed. Taking a signed terms agreement to another team is a ridiculous way to handle your business. The agent was simply taking advantage of the Braves and it might cost him in the future. Here are some quotes from Braves President and former GM John Schuerholz,

"Having been in this business for 40-some years, I’ve never seen anybody treated like that. The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company — ever. I told [agent] Arn Tellem that we can’t trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I’ve never seen any [agency] act in such a despicable manner. It was disgusting and unprofessional. We’re a proud organization, and we won’t allow ourselves to be treated that way. I advised Arn Tellem that whatever players he represents, just scratch us off the list. Take the name of the Atlanta Braves off their speed dial. They can deal with the other 29 clubs, and we’ll deal with the other hundred agents.”

Here is hoping that the Braves will stay true to their word and not sign any players represented by this agency. Peter Moylan, a relief pitcher, is the only current Brave represented by Tellem's agency. Schuerholz is a powerful man in the tight knit circle of MLB GM's. His words may have some influence on other GM's. I hope this causes the agency to lose some players. If I was a player getting ready to hit a big pay day, I would absolutely want all 30 teams bidding on me and certainly one like the Braves. I guess Kinzer has watched Jerry Maquire one too many times. He got his money, but will it cost him in the long run? Let's also hope that Keith Olbermann puts him on his "Worst Person in the World" list.