At the time of his tragic death in 2017, Yordano Ventura was playing on a long-term deal with the Royals that still included $20.25MM in guaranteed future salary. Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star provide an update on the status of that contract and the remaining loose ends of his estate, which has claimed insolvency. Ventura’s daughter, now five, is the sole heir. Fortunately, she did already receive a significant recovery under a life insurance policy. But the estate, which has had to pay down obligations that Ventura incurred while supporting family and friends in his native Dominican Republic, is still pursuing the balance of his contract with the Royals. It appears to present some potentially novel (and likely also fact-intensive) issues. According to the piece, there does not appear to be a prior instance of a player dying during a long-term contract. Those interested in learning about the full story and potential factors in the still-unresolved contract situation will certainly want to read the Star’s full report.
Here are some more notes from the game’s central divisions:
- The Cardinals made clear that they intend to seek a long-term deal with new star Paul Goldschmidt, and the opening of camp also starts the clock on pre-season conversations. That said, there are indications that the St. Louis organization will not impose any timing restrictions on talks, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted in a recent article regarding a host of Spring Training issues. The team is evidently prepared to hold discussions in whatever time and manner Goldschmidt himself prefers, even if that means keeping the line open in the midst of his first (and potentially only) season in St. Louis.
- Pirates righty Jameson Taillon enters the 2019 season facing big expectations, as Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes. He also has his eye on the broader player market as a union rep and student of the business of the game. The 27-year-old starter says he’s not only hoping for free agents to earn big salaries, but rooting for those that do to perform well under their contracts. As Gorman notes, the Bucs hold Taillon in high esteem and would surely be interested in working out an extension — particularly given that he’s still a full season away from arbitration. It stands to reason, though, that the former second overall draft pick will not sell his future campaigns for anything less than full value.
Oh my god the daughter. I feel so bad
For some background into the Ventura drama, fire up the google machine and check out Vahe Gregorians stories in the weeks after his death. The mother of his child is a special lady and the legal and literal battle between her, Ace and his family would make a good movie but in real life are really sad.
I don’t want to get into all the drama issues involved with this particular case, but rather the generalities involved in such a scenario. It would seem that the insurance company should be on the hook for the remainder of the deal, and put into escrow for the daughter. If he was married, then the wife or listed beneficiary
As far as I understand mlb contracts are guaranteed. Now if he was hurt, it would still be guaranteed. I can seee the argument for a payout vs honoring the remainder of the deal
Since it could be argued it is a service contract…. but the example of how the contract is paid out even if a player is injured sets the bar for an unfortunate situation as this. The deceased player could be moved to the 60day DL. Odd, but … the contract is guaranteed. I think it should be honored, and id put my money on it falling that way. The insurance company pay the difference from what was already paid out, to rectify that issue.
I am certain death is covered in a contract.
I believe the drama issues are part of the problem. I’m guessing there are legal processes underway to prevent the mother from having access to the money. If I remember correctly there was some ambiguity about whether the marriage was legal or some such nonsense. The Star story mentioned that there is a royalties check for like $60k that is being held in a trust for the daughter, but there is some obstruction to her accessing it that nobody wants to talk about.
I cant blame the Royals for not paying money they don’t owe, but going forward it would behoove the sport if these contracts were explicitly guaranteed in case of death. It’s not a good look to be getting sued by the grieving family. Besides, that kind of insurance would presumably be dirt cheap, as noted it’s never even happened before.
Why is that on the team?
Exactly.. Want the cash in case of tragedy? instead of buying just 1 of those fancy trinkets for all those relatives and friends it says he did in the story linked above.. He could have bought another life insurance policy instead that paid right away and still don’t understand why the 12.5m isn’t available now for his daughter, rather than when she turns of age, unless someone is afraid it become vaporware by the time the little girl DOES turn 18?
It does NOT say that he bought “fancy trinkets.” Here’s a quote from the story: “But the estate, which has had to pay down obligations that Ventura incurred while supporting family and friends in his native Dominican Republic, is still pursuing the balance of his contract with the Royals.” Supporting family and friends, especially in an area often noted for economic neediness and disparity, could easily be considered incredibly noble, as opposed to the crap picture you’re attempting to paint.
You left out the part regarding all the cars, ATV’s and other items the story plainly says he bought for family, friends and other acquauaintences, not to mention paying off some 2.3m loan he had racked up before he hit his big payday, some hardwarestore owned by a family member.
Please don’t try to edit just what you want out of a story and wish away the rest for a narrative to fit your needs. We see enough of that in the daily news.
It’s put in a blind trust until she’s 18 because what self respecting person hands 10+ million to a child? You wait until she’s grown up and understands what she can do with that money.
those things he left out aren’t trinkets though, only jewelery are trinkets
It’s not on the team. As I said, I don’t blame the Royals in this particular case for not paying. And yes, players should have their own life insurance.
But it is the team’s own interest not to have to have these kinds of fights, it’s bad PR. Particularly since, as I already noted, it would be pretty cheap for the team to insure itself, given how unlikely it is that it will happen.
It’s called a guaranteed contract for a reason.
The contract is guaranteed to the player, not his family. That is the purpose of life insurance.
Well said, DTD.
The family chose not to release his toxicology reports to public record. From what I’ve read, that’s the only issue here that would get the Royals off the hook from paying the balance of the contract (essentially voiding the pact due do DUI/DWI related death). Unfortunately I feel as though that may be exactly what is going on in this case. His daughter does have something along the lines of $12.5 million from the insurance settlement placed in a trust for her future.
If I remember correctly there was a clause out driving and driving. I remember they wouldn’t release the findings.
This is a good news that the Cards want to keep Goldschmidt for a long term. Lets make it happen.
I also like that they’re willing to do it on Goldschmidt’s timetable. Spring training likely won’t be enough time for him to understand and fully experience the appreciation St. Louis fans extend to their ballplayers. It’s easy to think that a third of the way into the season, Goldie will see the appreciation from the fans and let the FO know he’s ready to talk. Hope so!
I think after last year and this years FA they have a shot to extend him mid season. FA should be fun for players but that’s not the case anymore.
Darryl Kyle died midseason in 2002. Did the Cardinals honor the remainder of his contract?
I looked up the info on Kile’s BaseballReference page. It lists his salary for 2002 but does not list one for any following seasons, and I’m pretty sure that the site lists salaries for any contract signed even if the player’s career ended before the contract did. So I can’t be sure but I think that Kile was in the last year of his contract at the time of his death, so his 2002 money was likely fully paid to his estate.
Yes, this is why teams have insurance policies.
Yes,
“Darryl Kile’s wife will receive the rest of his guaranteed contract, which was reportedly worth $8 million a year and runs through 2003.”
a.espncdn.com/mlb/news/2002/0625/1398970.html
another star bought by the cards whose fans were teaching the angels fans virtue of developing their own stars!
Bought how? He was traded for not signed as a free agent. They used home grown players to land him in a trade. So, yes developing your own players pays off. You use them on your team and have success with them, and trade the extra ones for other pieces like the cards do. The Angels just buy free agents and fail to make the playoffs with a sky high pay roll lol
matt holliday? chris carpenter? jason isringhausen? bob tewksbury?
Matt Holliday (2010), Chris Carpenter (2002/2003), Jason Isringhausen, (2001), Bob Tewksbury, (1988).
Do you have any recent ones that we can look at?
Bob Tewksbury? You can’t be serious? Yeah, that $7 million over 5 seasons really set the bar and earned much praise from the players union.
Someone is digging pretty deep to pull out Bob Tewksbury…lol
Great question regarding Ventura. On the one hand, a contract with an injured player is paid off even though the player is no longer available for work. What about the case of a player who retires, even though that is voluntary? I’m surprised that the language of the contract doesn’t spell out what happens in case of these events because so much is at stake for both sides.
Sad situation but a team shouldn’t have to pay family members after a player is deceased
Yes they should. It would seem, toxicology report/announcement pending, that this situation is no different than any other career ending injury. It’s a guaranteed deal and should be paid by someone to the heir.
Did his family also sign the contract? No.
It’s not the same thing. And depending on what caused the injury, that may not be covered. Many contracts have clauses that prohibit certain activities. The contract was with Ventura, not his family. And accepting insurance settlements or payouts, often prevent the party from suing.
Amazing that everyone has their hand out,acting like his life mattered to them.
Every contract has a death clause. The daughter gets hers when she’s 18.
mlb lawyer?
It says right in the article that he had a completely different life insurance policy and that MLB hasn’t paid his family including his daughter anything about the contract he signed.
Standard MLB k player-conduct language. Failure to perform k b/c of injury or death resulting from driving a motorized vehicle while intoxicated nullifies the k. Plain language. The toxicology report is know to Ventura’s Family, Ventura’s Attorney’s, Kansas City Royals & MLB. The results will not be released to the public. I suspect the toxicology results indicate that Ventura violated the terms of his k. Presumably the family is hoping to negotiate a settlement w/ MLB. Indications are that MLB is taking the lead in this situation not the Royals.
K = contract*
Money battles after a sad death is always hard to read/watch. Naturally you want what’s best for the people who are suffering and not involved with any poor judgement on his part (like his daughter).
What was the payout for Jose Fernandez contract it seems similar scenario? Excuse my lack of accent marks no disrespect intended. I don’t think it was a long term contract more likely a arb contract but must have more similarities than differences.
“Excuse my lack of accent marks no disrespect intended” – haha seriously? Is this what we’ve come to.
Lmao…Apparently so…Every sentence and statement must have the obligatory no offense intended..
Fernandez was playing on a one-year arbitration contract. He was owed a grand total of zero dollars beyond 2016. Anyway, if a player dies or gets injured so badly that they can’t play anymore because they were driving drunk they shouldn’t get to see any of that money.
If I were Goldschmidt I wouldn’t sign anything long term. Test the market. Spend some time living in St Louis. See how you like it before committing to having to spend extensive periods of time.. Especially when you could potentially get more somewhere else.
even as a cards fan i have to agree. id love for him to sign long term asap but cant fault him if he waits and feels it out. remember, hes already taken one team friendly contract from arizona. he deserves to get the most money he can get.
Amen, amigos. Goldy deserves the $$$ we did not give him. Hope STL gets to enjoy the great player and person he is. GL to both Cards and Goldy.
Ten million a year for five years. Tops.
If not mistaken, Jose Fernandez was Boras client. Take that, then he was with Miami, still arbitration eligible, meaning he wouldn’t have signed any LT deal because was a Boras guy and Miami was inherently cheap especially so at that time.
Don’t recall the time of year He was killed, tho seems was over the winter? If after arbitration filings, those numbers/contracts are not guaranteed anyway and would anyone hyave expected Loria, of any owner in modern times to pay out money he didn’t HAVE to?
One more thing.. Admit didn’t look up 1 thing regarding Fernandez and his death and this may be rumors and innuendo.. Didn’t his autopsy show cocaine was in his blood? Even if his contract was in force (accident during season) that would probably have voided some/all of it anyhow perhaps? regarding what think was a boating accident?
Can’t we all just get along. Let’s make America great again.
What difference does it make if you’re on drugs? What if one smoke an ounce of pot and then two weeks later died in a traffic accident while driving, would that void their deal or do they have someone worth anything negotiating these contracts? If I’m a player I’d just pay my mom, brother, sister to be my agent. They give out standard contracts at a standard rate so what’s the agent do, besides loan a little money or squeeze a little more out of owners while taking some of the bad publicity?
Dude.. If drugs were at fault for the crash, or he was toasted while behind the wheel, it’s DUI. No matter alcohol, any type of drugs.. Illegal, legal. No matter. Just think of it like u have ur job and why would your employer pay YOUR family for being a dolt and driving under the influence? It’s beyond nonsense, unless live in some protected safe space….
Spoken like someone who enjoys drugs himself
Ventura was a class act and damn fine human being.
He should’ve gotten a better life insurance policy
The fact this story has even become public knowledge clearly means one of these parties is unhappy…Wonder which party is the one that helped it get released?? Hmm…
When Darryl Kile died, the Cardinals apparently paid out the rest of his contract (the rest of the year and the next year)., which seems to have been about $12 million
It’s not the same thing. And depending on what caused the injury, that may not be covered. Many contracts have clauses that prohibit certain activities. The contract was with Ventura, not his family. When my father died, my mom stopped getting his company pension.
What bothers me with Taillon is that the Pirates have shown no desire to pay Scott Boras clients like Pedro Alvarez and Gerrit Cole in the past. They had plenty of chances to extend Cole from 2013-2016 but didn’t. Instead they extended super duper utility man Josh Harrison when locking up a potential ace would have been better…