Furcal's agent refutes Braves' claims

2008-12-21T07:33:08-05:00

2008-12-18T20:45:48-05:00

2008-12-19T00:30:19-05:00

PaulMorphy

Villa Park 637703

19 AlvieLA .... technically you are correct about when employment starts. However, you seem to miss a much bigger point about a gentleman's agreement. It is a sad day when a man's word isn't worth much. As for the Dodgers being a class organization, I'm afraid I don't see where the Dodger organization lives on high ground. By continuing to deal with the unethical Tellem's of the world, they contribute to the erosion of this once great game. 3708740

2008-12-21T07:33:08-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/614/521/thumb/iconuntitledsoviet.jpg 34 ME

Reflections

South Portland 615161

AlvieLA .... technically you are correct about when employment starts. However, you seem to miss a much bigger point about a gentleman's agreement. It is a sad day when a man's word isn't worth much. As for the Dodgers being a class organization, I'm afraid I don't see where the Dodger organization lives on high ground. By continuing to deal with the unethical Tellem's of the world, they contribute to the erosion of this once great game.

57 I'm sorry. "Gentleman's agreement" that would be the same reason Negro League Ballplayers had to wait for Jackie Robinson to actually enter the Majors. I dont' feel sorry for the Braves, it's all business. Nothing personal. If they had actually pushed Furcal to sign a real agreement and not some phantom "Gentleman's agreement" maybe they would of realized Furcal didn't want to sign. And as far as erosion, where have you been the last 20 + years. It's been going down hill for awhile. 3726541

2008-12-20T15:55:42-05:00

Soxrepeat??

454800

56 Is Heyman allowed to actually ask a tough question or two, like a regular reporter, or is he just repeating what other people want him to do. Hell, I can do that, where do I sign up?? 3723251

2008-12-20T14:56:56-05:00

ga 59

Fort Lauderdale 639030

55 I am clearly an Atlanta Braves fan re-located to south Florida in retirement, but I hope Braves can make stick their desire to avoid dealings with these **** agents in future. The organization has always operated with integrity in the 40 years I live there. I cannot believe it would put in writing its terms unless there was a oral agreement in place. GA 59 3723054

2008-12-19T15:27:46-05:00

Loungepapa

No City 413247

54 What an arrogant SOB! Threatening the team at the end of the statement as well as suggesting that they not "color their judgement"? What an a**! I hope that the Braves follow through on their statement to never do business with this clown again. I am definitely NOT a fan of the Braves, but I am less a fan of honorless, self-loving, cowardly characters like this company and its representatives. I hope their clients seek other agents (although most might actually seek them out now - typical MLB). 3716110

2008-12-19T14:37:45-05:00

535

duckfan

Portland 23190

53 what do you call 50 agents in cement shoes at the bottom of the ocean? a good start! 3715614

2008-12-19T14:22:55-05:00

Fasteddy333

Las Vegas 638044

52 Translation of the seven point memo, "damage control." 3715471

2008-12-19T13:55:33-05:00

SJU

New York 638079

51 Grow up, Atlanta. If you can't deal with business in the real world, then go home. 3715160

2008-12-19T13:47:21-05:00

Mizat

No City 623051

50 Tellum must be one arrogant man. It is not suprising that he would have a sugar coated response to save face in a bad situation but it is rediculous to say the Braves misunderstood the situation and have no choice but to consider their offers in the future. He must have taken this startegy from the Roger Clemmens book of no sense; when exposed to the media strike back even though everyone knows what you did. 3715054

2008-12-19T13:40:52-05:00

Mizat

No City 623051

49 Tellem seems pretyy arrogant to me. It is expected they would to try and sugar coat a bad situation to save face but to have the nerve to say the Braves are overeacting and have to consider offers from them in the future like it or not is pplum rediculous. 3715031

2008-12-19T13:08:53-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/637/374/thumb/IMG00078.jpg 3 LA

eeebayou

New Orleans 638014

48 Now the Wasserman group can stick to their thriving Arena Football League team. What do you expect from a firm full of wanna-be blow-hards!! 3714488

Longtime baseball agent Arn Tellem, who heads the baseball agents at the Wasserman Media Group, responded by e-mail to Atlanta Braves general manager Frank Wren's comments to SI.com regarding the Braves' distrust of that agency and intention never to do business with them again. Wren and the Braves believe the agency reneged on shortstop Rafael Furcal's agreement to play for the Braves, and Tellem responded by saying "there was never an agreement" in his seven-point e-mail, and ending by saying that they would continue to try to work with the Braves and suggesting it's the Braves' obligation to consider their clients. Tellem may also have read the comments of Braves president John Schuerholz, one of the best GMs in the past few decades, who told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the agency's actions were "disgusting, "despicable," and "unprofessional," in forming his lengthy response. Here is Tellem's complete response: "With regard to the negotiations between the Atlanta Braves and Rafael Furcal, the essential facts are clear and cannot be disputed. 1. "There was never an agreement reached between Rafael Furcal and the Atlanta Braves. 2. "In fact, the Braves were fully aware that Furcal was not prepared to make a decision but had requested an opportunity to sleep on it, before deciding. 3. "Moreover, the baseball rules which all agents and teams operate under are clear that no deal exists between a player and a team unless and until: (i) there is a signed and executed player agreement or; (ii) the Player's Union and the Commissioner's office have otherwise confirmed the deal. Neither occurred here. 4. "Furcal ultimately decided to accept the Dodgers' offer, taking into consideration a number of factors, the most important of which was his desire to continue playing shortstop and not make the position change to second base that the Braves were requiring. 5. "Losing out on an All-Star player like Furcal is always disappointing, and we understand the Braves' frustration with the outcome of this negotiation, but it does not change in any way the fact that we conducted ourselves with integrity and complied with all rules of major league baseball throughout this process. 6. "Our primary obligation is to serve our clients best interests, and we will continue to do so in accordance with all relevant rules governing MLB negotiations and the utmost integrity. 7. "If it serves our clients, we will continue to present opportunities to the Braves, which in accordance with the rules governing Major League Baseball, the Braves must entertain. We hope that once emotions have subsided, the Braves will act in a manner consistent with not only their obligations under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and The National Labor Relations Act, but also the best interests of the franchise. In short, we would not want this incident to color their better judgment." 33941 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/100/64/thumb/Heyman_Jon.png 0 NY

Jon Heyman

New York 10084