99% of players who are drafted next month will sign the Minor League Uniform Player Contract. If you haven't read one yet & are being scouted, ask a scout to give you one. Most will act as if you've asked for their firstborn child or CIA level National Security info.
READ The Uniform Player Contract in advance so you understand what's going on & how one sided the agreement is. Pay close attention to Paragraph 17 section B. It gives the team the right to void the contract if their Dr. thinks you had a pre-existing injury. The following column deals with the fact that it has been used & will continue to be used in the future.
Elliott on Baseball column
By BOB ELLIOTT -- Toronto Sun
YES AND NO
It is true that the Jays nearly voided the contract of right-hander Dustin McGowan, their No. 1 pick in 2000.
However, it was because he had a non-grafted growth plate in his right elbow. The Jays doctors in Tampa examined McGowan and said it was common for teenagers not to be fully developed and McGowan would outgrow the problem.
Now, McGowan is injured, but this time it is ligament damage to his elbow, which will result in Tommy John surgery.
McGowan started 32 minor-league games since 2000, pitching 422 innings before sustaining his elbow injury, which is similar to the one suffered by former No. 1 pick Billy Koch.
Posts: 500 | Location: ft. lauderdale,fl usa | Registered: January 01, 2004
This clause is a concern. Could you write in something like...the MLB club has reviewed the medical records and has no issue relative to medical condition, and then get them to initial?
Sadly, these types of injuries happen to pitchers in every organization.
This pitcher was playing right up the street from our home for the AA Fisher Cats.
Mr. Elliott's article may not be completely accurate. McGowan had undergone the surgery <May 12> and reported for extended Spring Training <May 18> all prior to the day this was published <May 23rd>. I understood he had a pre existing tear in his elbow that the Blue Jays were aware of.
Perhaps he has made a mistake.
_________________________ Nothing is sometimes a good thing to do.... but always a good thing to say.
Posts: 2525 | Location: Northeast | Registered: December 31, 2002
quote:Originally posted by BIGRHP: This clause is a concern. Could you write in something like...the MLB club has reviewed the medical records and has no issue relative to medical condition, and then get them to initial?
Thanks
You have a PM
Posts: 500 | Location: ft. lauderdale,fl usa | Registered: January 01, 2004
