Will the Jon Singleton Deal Change MLB Contracts Forever?

The sports world is abuzz with the recent eight-year contract worth up to $30 million that the Houston Astros gave prospect Jon Singleton before he has even taken an at-bat in the Majors. Many pundits and players are saying that the contract will “ruin the game,” or that this is the act of a “selfish agent.”

My answer to these critics, get paid when you can in professional sports because you just never know when that final bell tolls on your career.

We are hearing from players and media reps that this contract is the act of a greedy agent or a confused kid.  How can one be confused when they are offered a guaranteed contract that will provide a healthy guaranteed income for their family?

Here is why I think this contract was smart.

First, the average player in Major League Baseball in the first three years in the league will make a minimum scale around $500,000 to $600,000 per year.  The contract for Singleton is a five-year deal for a guaranteed $10 million.  That means he will average $2 million a year, about $1.5 million more than he would receive if he went along with the rest of the league for the first three years.  Advantage-Team Singleton.

Next, he would lose his years of arbitration after the initial three years due to the signed contract.  But how would Singleton know that he would be guaranteed to be paid higher than the $2 million per year in those years? Losing the chance at a higher payday, or having guaranteed money is a toss up.  Advantage-Push

If Singleton plays well, as many are projecting, the Astros will be able to pick up the remaining three option years that would net Singleton around $20 million.  At that time, Singleton will become a free agent at the age of 30, and if he is playing up to his potential, will net a substantial free agent deal at that time.  Advantage-Singleton and the Astros.

This is a win-win situation for Singleton and the Houston Astros.  Singleton will have the guaranteed money that many in the industry strive for, and the Astros will lock up a potential prospect into the next decade.

There have been several detractors, including current Baltimore Orioles pitcher Bud Norris and former Oakland Athletics pitcher Mark Mulder.  Norris went on Twitter with this statement:

https://twitter.com/BudNorris25/statuses/473681750216806400

Mulder chimed in with his opinion as well.

I answer both of these gentlemen in this way; no one knows how long you will get to play this game.  The player may get hit by a bus, tear up their knee while sliding, or take a line drive off their forehead.  Mulder should know this better than anyone as his career was cut short prematurely due to shoulder issues.

The comments about the agent being greedy are interesting since the agent would stand to make much more if they advised Singleton to go the traditional route.  They are protecting the current interest of the client, and making sure that their client gets paid appropriately.

This is not about greed, this is about being prepared for your future; you just never know how long you will be able to get paid to play the kid’s game.  Take advantage now because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Photo: Houston Chronicle