FanPost

Agents, Fees, Contracts and Pay

I've had some questions bouncing around in my head for awhile, and I am sure there are AN guys and gals out there with opinions, and maybe some answers.

1.  How important are agents?  Why does everyone now need an agent?  Why does Ken Macha need an agent? [besides preventing BB from stealing his pants.] Did Billy Beane have an agent when he negotiated with the A's, or have an agent on his ill-fated (thank God!!) one-day stay in Boston? When did all this agent stuff start, anyway?

2.  How much percentage do agents generally receive from each contract they negotiate? [I heard Dave Stewart at Fan Fest jokingly say his fees are 4%, not 5% in an off-the-cuff remark during a Q & A session.] Do they get a percentage of bonus amounts also? Are agent percentage fees fixed by MLB, or the players' union, or can they be any percentage?  Are there guidelines on agent's fees in the standard MLB contract?  Is there even a standard MLB contract?  If so, is it published anywhere on line?  

3.  How often do players get paid: Weekly, Bi-Monthly, Monthly?  Once the player gets paid, does he then turn around and pay his agent his percentage from each of his salary payments?  Are salaries paid on a 12 month basis, or based on the 6 month baseball season, i.e. if a player's salary is $1.2 million, would he get $100,000 each calendar month, or $200, 000 each month during the season?