MLB Agent Rips 'Nepotism' Contract Signings, 'It's Just Not Fair Anymore'

The size of MLB organizations allows the flexibility for front offices to bring family into their minor league systems, and some are ready to see that kind of nepotism end.

One agent told The Athletic's Sam Blum that such contracts aren't "fair" for other players who otherwise might not get the same opportunities.

"It's just not fair anymore," said the agent, who represents mostly minor league players. "You're going to have guys either not move up and get the development they need, or get cut. And it's so easy to get cut now."

Familial signings can take opportunities away from other players, but they can also create messy situations within the organization.

"The dismount is rarely clean," said an AL executive. "You think you're doing the family a favor. But it ends up being the opposite. It ends up being messy."

It can also be detrimental to the players who were signed by a family member in the way that other players view them.

"His teammates are probably looking at him," a scouting director said, "thinking, 'We know why you're here, and you shouldn't be.' Those situations, they create more issues than they're worth."

It would be difficult for MLB to put any kind of limit on "nepotism" contracts, but it's clear many are ready to see them out of the game.