Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi has hired Excel Sports Management to represent him, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe (via Twitter). Benintendi had been represented by Jason Wood before troubling allegations arose recently as to the agent’s conduct.
Benintendi, 23, was taken seventh overall in the 2015 draft and has handsomely rewarded the Sox to this point in his career. After an impressive debut effort late in 2016, he opened the 2017 campaign on the Opening Day roster and held down a regular job all season long.
After turning in 658 plate appearances of .271/.352/.424 hitting, with an even twenty long balls, Benintendi earned a second-place finish in the American League Rookie of the Year vote. He also grades as a quality defender — he’s considered capable of handling center, though he has mostly played in left thus far in Boston — and swiped twenty bags in 2017.
Benintendi remains two full seasons removed from his first potential trip through arbitration eligibility. Of course, it’s also conceivable that he could be approached at some point about the possibility of a longer-term arrangement, though it has been quite some time since the Red Sox have reached an extension with a pre-arb player. As MLBTR’s Extension Tracker shows, the last such deal was struck with Clay Buchholz back in 2011. For a position player, you have to go back to the team’s 2008 pact with Dustin Pedroia.
As always, you can keep up with the latest representation information with MLBTR’s Agency Database.
Syndergaarden Cop
Why are these stories reported? Who cares if someone switched agents or agencies?
NicTaylor
Because his former agent filmed him in the shower. Just updating a previous story he was linked to earlier
qbass187
For what it’s worth, he wasn’t one of the player who were allegedly filmed.
NicTaylor
Yes, his agent agent filmed other players, not him. I’d still be outta there in a heartbeat.
qbass187
Yeah, agreed.
Jeff Todd
Most fans probably don’t really care, generally, but our readers in the industry likely do.
jodygerut
Most fans should care because it will impact the likelihood of a star player signing an extension.
The industry cares because an agent can be a reflection of the player’s personality.
For example, because CC Sabathia hired Roc Nation, it likely influenced the opinion of the agent to encourage him to sign in NY. Had his old agent been in place, CC would have been more likely to sign with a CA team where he is from and where his old agent bases his business.
These stories have very real impacts, once you watch and listen.
thegreatcerealfamine
CC is on record stating he always wanted to be a Yankee,in fact probably took a more friendly deal to sign in NY. He signed with Roc National because they represented a lot of his close friends in the NBA and NFL. He has also stated if he goes into the HOF it will be as a Yankee…
Jrankin1246
Dude… nobody else but the player is deciding where they want to play.
Cubguy13
They should also report what tv shows the player likes or his love life. If you really want reflections of the players personality, why stop at who their agent is?
qbass187
They all say things like that.
Cat Mando
Cubguy13…….reductio ad absurdum is never a good ploy.
One Fan
What does their favorite TV show have to do with baseball? On the other hand who their agent is does matter as its baseball related
Santee Alley
Syndergaarden Cop, do you mean… “It’s not a rumor!”?
bastros88
only trade rumors on this site guy get a clue!
VinScullysSon
Seems ungrateful to disdain free information just because you don’t care about it. I don’t love every article on this site but I certainly appreciate the hard work that goes into providing this to me for free.
slapnuts
/\ x 2
Jrankin1246
It’s commonly reported here, is this your first visit?
brewcrewbernie
They’re reported so idiots like you can complain about them apparently. It’s baseball news, if you’re not interested, scroll/swipe past and stop whining.
Syndergaarden Cop
kiss my a$$
xabial
I do. It shows their prominence in the sports world.
I couldn’t care less about previous agents though. (Sorry, guys! >.<)
Jeff Todd
Ha
One Fan
If the new agent is relevant then so is the previous agent. Otherwise why bother writing the post. Its half a story.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Absolutely previous agents are relevant!
thegreatcerealfamine
Here-Here…
22222pete
I like to know more about the agents and their players. Should be some analysis that ranks them by who is getting the best $/WAR in FA and arb , most years, total guaranteed dollars, AAV, extensions, etc
Robocop Is My Friend
testing
FriendOfBoras
He should have gone with Boras.
Jrankin1246
So he could be waiting for a job in June like Kendrys Morales and Steven Drew a few years ago?
FriendOfBoras
He already has a job….
One Fan
Why in the world would he want Scott Boras
bobtillman
….where can I buy the tapes?………..
Jrankin1246
Why exactly were players taking showers in their agents hous?
Santee Alley
When you visit a friend, you go the week without showering?
TheFixIsIn
@Jeremy….I wondered the same thing!!
Cat Mando
I’m puzzled by people who are puzzled by the situation. It’s not like the agent calls and says “hey next time you are in town come on over for a shower”
Agents and players, especially star players, are connected by more than a few phone calls at contract time. Agents take care of everything from off season travel and vacation arrangements to having the players taxes done. They become friends. It’s worth reading this article where Odorizzi explained whey he chose the same agent mlbtraderumors.com/2013/03/why-i-chose-my-agency-j…
Many agents have workout and training facilities at their homes. Wood’s former agency that he owned and sold to CSE specialized in players from the “Midwest” and he continued to keep his office in OH. When you go to visit a friend in another city and they offer to let you stay at their spacious home instead of a hotel, do you? A great many people do.
It’s not hard to understand at all.
bobtillman
I was only kidding….not that there’s anything wrong with that……
But there is something seriously wrong with exploiting young athletes in that manner. I’m sure not all the clients are the “movie stah” types like Benetendi…… guys like him and Odorizzi are different from the rank and file…they’ve already made it…..
mntfan
Who doesn’t care in 2018
InTekWeTrust33
CC in the HoF? He had many great years but also some recent duds. HoF is reserved for players who are amazing for a long, long time. Still love CC tho he is a great competitor. Just not a serious HoF conversation worthy player
cubsfan2489
I would like to know who his former agent was! MLBTR never posts the form… Oh wait, yes they do!!
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
One potato, two potato, three potato, four.
cubsfan2489
Butt hurt much? Oh wait, guess it doesn’t hurt if you enjoy it!
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Not butthurt son. Just think it’s creepy that your only purpose in commenting on this site is try and mock me.
And yes, it is true that this site has a tendency not to name the former agent when a player changes agents unless it’s Boras or CSE.
cubsfan2489
Nah, you’re all hurt about it. My comment has nothing to do with you and you felt the need to comment. Someone’s a little paranoid. Here’s the part where I bow out and you keep going thinking it makes a difference because you’re like, 19. Later!
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Don’t play dumb with me kid. I know how to read between the lines.