The gospel, according to Luke Hochevar
Superagent Scott Boras has been called many things by many people.
The devil? Sure, that provokes one image of him by at least a few general managers around major league hardball.
But how about God?
It happened to one of his clients. Or, at least, to a reporter who didn't hear the player correctly, and easily assumed he meant one thing when ... well, have a look at it yourself:
In the June 7 Los Angeles Times, there's a story about Luke Hochevar, who had been drafted by the Dodgers out of the University of Tennessee in 2005. Boras was signed up as his agent, which meant Hochevar was putting his career into Scott Almightly.
Boras wanted top dollar. The Dodgers didn't budge. As a result, Hochevar went back into the 2006 draft. The Kansas City Royals took him with the first overall choice.
Hochevar seemed relieved that the ordeal was over.
In the Times' story, Luke (above) had this to say:
"Scott had a plan in this, and his master plan definitely worked," Hochevar said. "It was tough through it — you go through it and you fight it — but when it all comes down to it, Scott has a plan for you, and he definitely worked a miracle in my case."
Well, almost.
Here's a correction that appeared in the Times two weeks later, on June 21:
An article in Sports on June 7 quoted pitcher Luke Hochevar, drafted by the Kansas City Royals, as referring to "Scott" -- Scott Boras, his agent -- when in fact he used the word "God."
Here is the correct quote: "God had a plan in this, and his master plan definitely worked. It was tough through it -- you go through it and you fight it -- but when it all comes down to it, God has a plan for you, and he definitely worked a miracle in my case."
OK, we get it. Easy mistake.
(Although Boras probably doesn't think one was made).
Won't happen again. God forbid.
On that note, if there's a need to clear things up, check out this new book "And God Said, Play Ball" by Gary Graf.
For the record, that's not Boras' hand on the left. Or the right.
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Well if Hochevar is the player that many believe, in the long run this decision to play harball over a cool mil or two will likely cost Luke many more millions in the long run.
He'll start now a bit rusty and one year behind the rest of the 05 class. presumably reach the "show" a year later. Which mean the arbitration and FA clock will start ticking even later.
Not to mention that the Royal organization is not exactly the greatest when it comes to grooming pitchers and even when they do, they have to pitch in HR happy Kaufman. The dodgers are a bit of a pitcher factory and their pitchers get to pitch in pitcher friendly Chavez Ravine.
so congratulations Scott and Luke. Penny wise. But pound foolish. Of course if Luke is a flash in the pan, the extra mil or two will be nice, but if in december 2015 I see Hochevar signing an $80MM five year deal with the Yankees, Angels or red sox, I won't help but think "its too bad for Luke he could not have gotten started earlier and he might have had this payday a year or two earlier.
But Scott probably did the right thing. His same strategy only cost Varitek about $10 million. And probably the same for jd drew and his brother Stephen drew. And Jared Weaver, although he was one of the few to get on track quickly.