This weekend we were taken to task about the use of the word “handshake agreement” in a report about Carl Crawford and the Tampa Bay Rays. It was deemed preposterous that such an agreement or conversation had taken place because of the Rays change in ownership and, after all, this is Major League Baseball and such things don’t happen. Well not only does it happen, but teams do break these types of agreements. It brings me to a story that I will share in order to make my point.

This summer I spoke to an agent who didn’t think very highly of a particular MLB team. About three years ago his client was signed on a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp. Knowing that he was third on the depth chart the agent asked a high ranking executive with the organization if it looked like the player wasn’t going to make the big league club could he be released about two weeks before spring training ends. The caveat given by the agent was that if said player didn’t land a big league job with another team he would return to play in AAA. This wasn’t put into writing, but verbally agreed to by the team’s executive. Mind you, this wasn’t a scout or low level employee this was a member of the front office. It’s also worth noting the player was with the organization prior so they had a relationship.

Predictably the player, who was a long shot to make the ballclub anyway, asked for his release about two weeks before the season. The same executive who had the handshake agreement said “no” and when asked why he responded with “I changed my mind.” Since the team contractually had every right to sending him to AAA that’s exactly what they did. Ironically this player was called up briefly mid season because of injury, but that is beside the point.

Personally, I think the agent should have known better than the trust the team. I know the executive who did this and that made me believe he should have been doubly on guard. The point is this type of stuff happen. Look at Knicks assistant coach Herb Williams. He would routinely be traded and then days later released because the transaction was simply of a financial nature for the team. It was well known that he was given assurance by the organization he would have lifetime employment as part of going through that process. To date they have been true to their word in this situation.

MLB is like any other business. There are things behind the scenes that hug the line of ethics and might never be talked about. I remember being in Joe Girardi’s office in the spring of 2008 with the beat writers and hearing Brian Cashman joke about how often the Yankees have tried to bend the rules with player moves. It shocked me when I heard it, but obtaining any advantage is what the GM’s job is all about. There has been a lot of turnover in the Rays front office since Friedman took over. Who knows what individual told Crawford’s agent they wouldn’t pick up the option. Whatever it may be they felt it wouldn’t be and they are annoyed. That’s the story – nothing more!

Now that we are in the age of information this news get released because I don’t necessarily have to play the politics of the major news corporations. You, the reader, is better off for it because for years you were fed only information that they wanted you to hear. Now it’s time to prove that you can handle that great gift. Thus far the jury is certainly out on that.

Tags: Brian Cashman, Carl Crawford, Handshake Agreements, Herb Williams, New York Knicks, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays