MLB agent Scott Boras "lost a $1.3 million grievance claim" against Yankees RF Carlos Beltran this month, "establishing a precedent that Boras believes could have serious ramifications in the industry," according to Nightengale & Ortiz of USA TODAY. Boras was "seeking damages against Beltran, who left his agency in October 2011 -- four months before the expiration of his contract." Boras was "seeking 5% of Beltran's contract" with the Cardinals, citing "a provision in their agreement that required payment if he prematurely terminated him." The provision has been used for years, but it "was ruled unenforceable by independent arbitrator Shyam Das." Beltran said, "I felt like I had to win, because he was basically suing me because I left him and he was trying to collect money without having done anything for me." Boras believes that the ruling "could enable players to leave their agents at a moment's notice with no repercussions, intensifying an already heated competition for clients among agents." Boras, who has "utilized the provision for nearly 15 years, fears the ruling could prompt agents to negotiate inferior contracts, simply to get their fees to protect themselves from players terminating an agreement" (USA TODAY, 3/27).
