“OTL” Examines Impact Of Performance Bonuses On Teams

Epstein Keeps Francona Insulated From Players’ Incentive Bonuses

Tuesday night’s edition of ESPN’s “OTL Nightly” featured a report on professional athletes receiving incentive bonuses in their contracts. MLB agent Scott Boras said, “I don’t think most managers actually like to know about [performance bonuses]. I’ve had retired managers tell me that the administration has gone to them and said, ‘Don’t play this guy. Don’t use him.’” Patriots RB Corey Dillon, on whether a team has benched a player to prevent him from reaching an incentive clause: “I’ve seen that before. I’ve seen that a couple of times.” But Red Sox GM Theo Epstein said the team keeps the manager “insulated from the details of the performance bonuses because we never want our manager making a decision based on having to pay or not pay an incentive.” Indians Exec VP & GM Mark Shapiro added, “You’re providing the player with protection and the club some protection, and these deals are usually about sharing risk” (“OTL Nightly,” ESPN, 4/5).