Atlanta Braves’ handling of Carter Stewart might open new draft leverage for others
Falling Stock
Except now, Stewart’s draft stock hasn’t stayed in that Top 10 Overall stratosphere. In multiple rankings, he’s looking more like a middle-of-the-second-round guy.
That’s a position that certainly doesn’t carry the kind of bonus that Stewart was expecting last year (something in the immediate vicinity of $5 million), nor even of the token ~$2 million that the Braves were compelled to offer for the sake of securing the 9th pick for this year.
Enter Scott Boras
You gotta admit, the man is creative and resourceful.
Rather than tell his client that “this is just the way it is”, he’s presented an opportunity that allows Stewart to bypass a number of baseball’s sacrosanct rules that effectively force a player into a employment service that serves to limit his opportunities for close to a decade after draft day.
Right-hander Carter Stewart, the No. 8 pick in last year's draft who did not sign with the Atlanta Braves, is in agreement with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on a six-year deal worth more than $7 million, sources tell ESPN. Stewart, 19, will start in the minor leagues in Japan.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 22, 2019
This changes things.
Let’s look at the worst- and best-case scenarios for Stewart:
WORST: Stewart gets to Japan, hates the culture shift, cannot communicate with coaches, doesn’t learn what he needs to know about pitching, blows out his arm, and never plays again.
He still pockets checks for 6 years that sum to $7 million (minus Boras’ fee, taxes, travel and living expenses, of course). He buys a condo on the beach in Indialantic and watches the sea turtles come in to nest on the beach every Spring for the rest of his life.
He’s no worse off than he would have been had the Braves written him that $5 million check… and so much better than the $1-to-1.5 million bonus he would be getting this season.
BEST: Stewart goes to Japan, learns conversational Japanese, embraces the culture, has an English-speaking coach that helps him excel in the Japanese minors, adapts to the once-a-week pitching schedule, and becomes a stud within the next 3 years or so.
After 6 seasons, he is posted back to the states as a free agent. Teams fawn over him. Eventually signs a new American 6 year deal for $100 million.
No $1200/month allowances in the American minor leagues. No having to prove himself worthy with every start. No 3 years of pre-arbitration major league minimum salaries. No arbitration system over another 3 years.
I had felt sorry for the kid. I’m over that now. He’s going to be okay – either way – and I’m glad to see it.