MLB Agent Reveals Horror Story of Minor League Client Reporting to Spring Training
By Scott Rogust
Spring training is not only an opportunity for the stars of Major League Baseball to get themselves in shape for the start of the 2020 regular season. However, it's also the chance of a lifetime for minor league baseball players, who are looking to rise up the farm system and eventually onto the big league roster. Yet, it's not all sunshine for the young athletes looking to impress major league teams.
MLB agent Joshua Kusnick took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to share the nightmarish tale that one of his clients has to endure to participate in preseason action. The anonymous minor leaguer has yet to be paid for reporting to spring training and had to lay out a hefty deposit of $1,200 (20% of his ANNUAL SALARY) for a hotel room.
Have an milb client who showed up 2 weeks ago
— (((Joshua Kusnick))) (@JoshuaKusnick) February 27, 2020
He isnt being paid because spring training didnt start for milb 10 dollars a day per diem.
They have a 1200 deposit for the hotel. The player. Making 6k a year.
Player has no choice in staying at hotel
Pays own way to field!
1/2
We know what you're thinking: this is insane. But it only gets worse.
His client has a car and doesn't get reimbursed for gas. Additionally, since he owns a car, the player has no choice but to stay at the hotel. Mandatory ruling by the higher-ups, in what is essentially a senseless mandate.
2/2
— (((Joshua Kusnick))) (@JoshuaKusnick) February 27, 2020
No gas reimbursement.
If player has a car he must stay at hotel
This is insanity. Someone has to change this@LemireJoe @jareddiamond @injuryexpert @sahadevsharma @hoynsie @Marc_Normandin @MarcCarig @Jomboy_ @JoeFrisaro @nwilborn19@GregJohnsMLB @CSeidmanNBCS
Minor league players are notoriously underpaid by their respective organizations, which makes this story that much more depressing. Even the supposed pay hike in 2021 is beans compared to what their MLB counterparts make.
Kusnick is hoping that his story picks up steam and he can help force MiLB's hand in regards to treatment of its players. Considering the lowly sum Kusnick's client makes annually, some of these expenses are nothing short of outrageous.