MLBPA Agent Exam Complete Questions and Answers

MLBPA Agent Exam Complete Questions and Answers ||Graded A+ - can spend 11 days in minors and still get full year. - players will still earn MLS if injured/DL. Major League Service (Landmarks) - ANSWER 3 Years: - eligible for arbitration. - May not be removed from 40 man without his permission. 5 Years: - may not be demoted to Milb on optional assignment without consent may be offered his release. 6 Years - Eligible for Free Agency. 10 Years - May not be traded or assigned without his consent, provided spent last 5 years with current team. Minor League Rosters - ANSWER - Consist of an Active List (players currently eligible to play) and a Reserve List (the entire roster). - Players may be loaned to other minor league clubs, but they must be returned by September 30. - Minor-league clubs may place injured players on the disabled list for 7 or 60 days (the Emergency Disabled List). - As with players in the majors, players on the minor-league 60-day disabled list do not count against either roster limit. Minor League Rosters (Reserve List Roster Limits) - ANSWER - 38 players for Triple-A clubs. - 37 for Double-A clubs. - 35 for Single-A clubs and below. Minor League Rosters (Active List Roster Limits) - ANSWER - Triple-A clubs - 24 players. - Double-A clubs - 24 players. - Single-A clubs: - 25 players. - no more than two players with more than five years of minor-league service time. - Short-season Single-A clubs: - 30 players. - No more than 25 players may be used in a single game. - must include at least 10 pitchers. - No more than four players may be 23 years old or older. - No more than three players may have four or more years of minor-league service time.) Active List Roster Limits (Continued) - ANSWER - Advanced Rookie Clubs - 35 players - No more than 30 players may be used in a single game. - must include at least 10 pitchers. - No more than 12 players may be 21 years old or older, - no more than 2 players may be 23 years old or older. - No player may have more than two years as a professional - no player may have three or more years of minor-league service time. - Rookie Clubs - 35 players - No more than 30 players may be used in a single game. - must include at least 10 pitchers. - No more than 8 players may be 20 years old or older, including two drafted players and four undrafted players who are at least 21 years old. - No player may have more than two years of minor-league service time. Pre-Salary Arbitration and 10(a) Renewal - ANSWER - if player not yet met service requirements for arbitration teams can unilaterally set Player's salary (subject to minimum salary and max cut rules) - club will explain its formula to Agent. 10(a) Renewal - If player and club do not agree on a K, then club can renew Player's K from prior season for 1 year. - When player first approached about signing a multi-year extension prior to eligible for salary arbitration.... MUST CONSULT WITH MLBPA FIRST. Restricted List - ANSWER - If a player, through some action of his own, is unable to render his services to his club, the team may petition MLB to have the player placed on the restricted list. - Generally, the list is used for a long-term absence, such as a drug suspension, a visa problem or leaving the club without permission. - A player on the restricted list does not count against the 40-man roster, and there is no minimum or maximum length of time he must stay on the list. - A player on the restricted list is not paid and does not earn service time. Rookie Qualification - ANSWER - A player is a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has: - more than 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues, or - more than 45 days on a Major League active roster during the 25-man limit period (April-August), excluding time on the disabled list. Rosters - ANSWER - 25-Man Roster - "active roster" - Daily MLB roster limit from Opening day August 31. - Players earn MLS and MLB salaries. - 40 Man Roster - Each club's daily list of all players under reserve. - Union member; Major League K; benefit plan; JDA. Rule 4 Draft (amateur; Eligible Players) - ANSWER 1. Residents of the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, any other commonwealth of US. 2. Subject to High School/College/Junior College rules. 3. 40 Rounds. 4. Players can only sign a Minor League K. Rule 4 Draft (signing bonus pools) - ANSWER - Pools are aggregate of signing bonus values that a club has in first 10 rounds of draft. - Players selected after the 10 th round do not count against a club's pool if they sign for less than $100K. - When drafted, club can offer any amount to sign (not restricted by "slot")(they are just taxed on overage). Rule 4 Draft (Failure to Sign) - ANSWER - A drafted player who does not sign and attends a four-year college is not eligible for the draft again until he completes his junior year or turns 21 years old. ** undrafted players can sign with any club. Rule 5 Draft - ANSWER - Allows MLB clubs to select K's of players on other club's minor league reserve lists - Occurs each year in December at annual GM winter meetings - MLR (5)(c) covers players eligible for this selection o If player is added to his club's MLB 40 man roster he is no longer eligible for Rule 5 draft. o If player is selected in Rule 5 draft..... he is immediately placed on new club's 40 man roster. o If selected..... must be kept on new club's 25 man roster entire next season or placed on waivers. Split K - ANSWER - Provides different rates for Majors vs Minors. - Very relevant in release & assignment cases. Termination Pay - ANSWER Amount is determined by: A. When Player Released: - During offseason and before spring training Paid for 30 days. - During spring training but prior to last 15 days before opening day - Paid for 30 days. - During last 15 days before opening day Paid for 45 days. - During season Paid full unpaid balance of salary. - If split K, depends on whether in Majors/minors. B. Type of K signed: - If player released from guaranteed K receives balance pf K subject to non-duplication provisions. *All Termination pay subject to non-duplication provision*. Trades - ANSWER - Player being assigned from one club to another for consideration. - 10& 5 Rights - If player on active MLB roster for ten full seasons and on one team for last 5 seasons, can't be traded without consent. Transactions - ANSWER - Rosters (25 man/40 man) - Optional Assignments - Outright Assignments - Trades - Waiver Clauses - "Designation for Assignment" - "Unconditional Release" Unconditional Release - ANSWER - Notice of Unconditional Release; waivers; contract is terminated. - UR Notice free to shop; term pay; FA. UPC (Generally) - ANSWER - UPC may be improved upon w/ special covenants..... but sections and clauses in UPC may not be replaced/deleted. Uniform Player's Contract (Special Covenants) - ANSWER - Can't contain provisions that give player bonuses for skill or club's standing at the end of the season. - If quantity then OK....... If quality...... not OK. Yes: winning MVP; # of Abs No: bonus team wins division; player hits .300; Player hits 24 HR. Ex. - Salary guarantee provision - Salary payment schedule - No-trade protection - Club/player vesting options - Roster/Performance/Award bonuses. Uniform Player's Contract (other) - ANSWER - Salary Guarantee Language o Need to remove all "insurance guaranty language". o It is ok to cooperate w/ club so that they can get insurance. o We do not want any language that allows the club to void K b/c insurance cant be found. Uniform Regs (Discipline) - ANSWER - 1st violation: warning - 2nd violation: $1K fine - 3rd violation: $5K fine - 4th + violation +: $10K fine and prohibition on playing *** Single flagrant or provocative breach can be prohibition from playing. Uniform Regs (generally) - ANSWER - no arbitration for on-field discipline. - on-field suspensions are "paid suspensions". Uniform Regs (Pants) - ANSWER - no straps on bottom of pants. - can't remove elastic string from bottom. - can't pull below spikes. Uniform Regs (Undershirts) - ANSWER - no corporate logos other than Nike or MLB silhouette batter logo. Uniform Regs (Compression Sleeves) - ANSWER - Nike, Under Armor, or Adidas only Uniform Regs (Footwear) - ANSWER - At least 51% of shoe must be club's designated primary color. Uniform Regs (Adornments/Markings) - ANSWER - No distracting jewelry pins, flags, patches, or decals attached to uniforms. - No nicknames or messages may be attached to a uni or equipment. Uniform Regs (Gloves) - ANSWER - Pitchers glove can not be white or distracting. - No hue higher than 14-series of pantone color set. Waiver Claims - ANSWER - Players are offered to all 29 clubs claimed by one or more. Waiver Claims (Unconditional Release Waivers) - ANSWER - A club that wishes to release a player places him on unconditional release waivers. He then may be claimed for $1, but the player has five days to choose whether to accept it or refuse the claim and become a free agent. - If the player rejects the claim, he become a free agent and forfeits the remaining money due on his contract. - If the player accepts the claim, the new team pays him under the contract he signed with his former team. - If no team claims the player, he becomes a free agent. Waiver Claims (Irrevocable Outright Waivers) - ANSWER - A club that wishes to remove a player from its 40-man roster but keep him in its minor-league system must first place him on outright or special waivers. - Outright waivers are not revocable, so a player claimed on outright waivers may not be pulled back by his original club. - A club may not request outright waivers on a player with a complete no-trade clause or on a player ten-and-five rights. Waiver Claims (Optional Waivers) - ANSWER - Required when optioning a player who has options remaining but who is more than three calendar years removed from his first appearance on a Major League roster. - Because optional waivers are revocable, players usually clear in this scenario. Waiver Claims (Trade Assignment Waivers) - ANSWER Trade assignment waivers are utilized in August as a means to gauge trade interest. - Between August 1 and the end of the season, a player may not be traded without first clearing trade assignment Major League waivers. - If the player is not claimed within 47 business-day hours, he may be traded to any club. - If the player is claimed by another club, the request may be revoked, allowing his current club to pull him back. - However, the player's current club also may 1) work out a trade with the claiming club within 48 ½ business-day hours, or 2) elect to allow the claiming club to take the player for a $20,000 fee and assume responsibility for his current contract. - If more than one club claims a player, the club with the lower winning percentage has priority, but American League clubs have priority for AL players, and National League clubs have priority for NL players. - Once a player on major league waivers has been claimed and the waiver request revoked, any subsequent request for major league waivers during the same waiver period is irrevocable. - A player with a no-trade clause who is claimed on Major League waivers must be pulled back if the player's no-trade clause allows him to block a deal to the claiming club. However, the player may waive the no-trade clause and join the claiming club. Minimum Salaries - ANSWER - In MLB 2016..... minimum salary for each day of service was $507,500 - In Milb salary for each day of service depends on seniority. - If subsequent MLB K or having at least 1 MLB service minimum is $87,200. Max Salary Cut Rule - ANSWER - For Major League Service - a club may unilateral renew contract of a player not yet eligible for arbitration if club and player can't agree on a salary. - No more than 20% reduction of the player's salary for MLS in previous season. or - No more than a 30% reduction of salary for MLB service in 2 seasons prior to 1st full season covered by new K. Max Salary Cut (Minor League Service) - ANSWER - No more than 40% reduction of player's salary for minor league service in season. **CANT CUT BELOW MINIMUM SALARY** Minor League Minimum Salaries Breakdown - ANSWER Rookie Ball: $675 / week Single-A: $850 / week High-A: $900 / week Double-A: $1,000 / week Triple-A: $1,200 / week *Spring Training Salaries: $625 / week *Offseason Camp Salaries: $625 / week *Offseason At Home Salaries: $250 / wk (except 6-week dead period around holidays when players can't be asked to work). Agent Regulations - Equipment - ANSWER - $3,000 worth of equipment per year for each player. - Applies to all players regardless of roster status. - Within 48 hours of an agent change, must report to MLBPA total amount of equipment purchased. - Annual disclosure must be submitted to MLBPA no later than 3/1. Agent Regulations - Fee Statements - ANSWER Must be submitted no later than 3/1. Agent Regulations - Loans - ANSWER - Loans prohibited w/o prior written approval by MLBPA. - Applies to ALL players. - Only allowed for current clients. - Cant contain provisions player continue as a client or penalty if terminates rights. - Agent must report to MLBPA the terms of any third party loan. Agent Regulations - Meal Disclosures - ANSWER - Agents may pay for actual costs of reasonable meals for non-clients on 2 occasions. - Meals with non-clients must be disclosed. - Applies to all players regardless of roster status. Agent Regulations - NON-Client Communications Disclosures - ANSWER - Report all non-client communications regardless of whether the Agent or the player initiates the call/text/or Mtg......... (with the exception of quick "hello"). - Applies only to 40 man roster players. Agent Regulations - Player/Agent Designations - ANSWER - Every year must obtain signed PAD form signed by clients. - Only 40 man roster players.... Must submit renewed designation on becoming 40 man. - If foreign player..... PAD in that language. - Send copy to Lisa @ within 10 days. Agent Regulations - Prohibition on Guaranteeing Marketing to Non-Clients - ANSWER An Agent may not guarantee or promise any player will secure endorsements, marketing, personal appearance to sign with him. Agent Regulations - SRA - ANSWER - 1 year max (must renew every year). - Must mail copy to MLBPA w/in 10 days of signing. - Player may at any time. - May not provide for damages or specific remedy for termination. - Must submit renewed SRA on becoming 40 man. Allowance / Expenses Reimbursements (In-Season Meal and Tip Allowance) - ANSWER - Per diem allowance paid on road ($117.50) Allowance / Expenses Reimbursements (In-season Supplement Allowance 7&7) - ANSWER - Hotel and per diem for first 7 days at home after assignment. - Owed for every assignment to Major League Club. - Unless sent to minors within 7 days. Allowances (Spring Training) - ANSWER Weekly allowance of: $369.50. Base Supplemental allowance of: $65.50. Allowance / Expenses Reimbursements (Moving Expenses) - ANSWER MLB new club pays: (1) up front if club to club (2) expense reimbursement -actual and reasonable. Allowance / Expenses Reimbursements (Rent Reimbursements) - ANSWER - Reimbursement for rent due on apartment being vacated - "actual and reasonable". - Must offer club opportunity to use or sublease. Allowance / Expenses Reimbursements (Disabled Players) - ANSWER - In season..... clubs direct location of rehab (home city, on road w/ club, ST facility). - In season...... consent required after 20 days for rehab @ St facility. Allowance / Expenses Reimbursements (Allowances while on Rehab Assignment) - ANSWER - 1st class Airfare. - 1st class hotel. - MLB per diem. **** Rules of Thumb..... players on optional assignment governed by past practices. Arbitration (Eligible) - ANSWER Eligible 1. Players with 3 or more years of MLS but less than 6 years of MLS. Or 2. "Super Two" A. at least 2 years of MLS but less than 3 years of MLS; and B. accumulated at least 86 days of MLS in immediate preceding season; and C. Ranks in top 22% in total MLS among players who met requirements #1 and #2. Arbitration (Process) - ANSWER Timeline and Process 1) Club must tender UPC to each player it desires to retain on its reserve list (40 man) by December 12. A. The club's offer to a player may not be less than 80% of the player's salary and bonuses the previous year or less than 70% of his salary and bonuses from 2 years earlier. (exception if won arb. Award previous season which increased his salary 50% or more). B. if not tendered a K then immediately a FA. Arbitration (Filing and Exchange Date) - ANSWER A. Mid January... eligible players may file for salary arbitration... club submits theirs three days later. B. Article VI(E)(2). C. Player and Club exchange their salary figures on exchange date. Arbitration (Hearing and Decision) - ANSWER a. Article VI(E)(13) b. Hearings scheduled 2/1 - 2/20 c. Each party has 1 hour to argue case and 30 minutes for rebuttal. The player is required to attend and generally represented by agent. Club executive or attorney represents the club. d. Criteria the panel may consider: i. Player's contribution to the club in terms of performance and leadership; ii. The club's record and attendance; iii. "special accomplishments"; iv. salaries of comparable players in his MLS time class; v. the class ahead of them (if less than 5 years MLS). Arbitration (Criteria) - ANSWER MAY NOT consider: i. Team finances; ii. Previous offers made in negotiations; iii. The Competitive Balance Tax iv. Comments from the Press; v. Salaries in other sports or occupations Arbitration (Panel Selects) - ANSWER Panel selects either of 2 figures w/o opinion and awards a 1 year, non-guaranteed contract at one salary or the other i. If player is cut before the 16th day before the season begins, he is entitled to 30 days termination pay. ii. If player is cut during spring training but after the 16th day before season begins, he is entitled only to 45 days termination pay. Assignment (Optional) - ANSWER - sent to minors but remain on 40 man - allows a team to freely move a player up and down between major and minor league levels - if player optionally assigned for less than 20 days total in one season. - Player will be credited with MLS during period of assignment: EX: - if 19 days = full year of service - If 21 days = 21 days of service 10-day rule: When player "optioned", he cannot be recalled for 10 days. Assignment (Limits) - ANSWER - Players can't be optionally assigned for more than 3 seasons. Important #'s - 3 - total option seasons (after 3, player must clear waivers before he can be sent to minors again). - 172 - service days in a single season. - 20 : days a player must spend on optional assignment to "burn" an option season. - 5 - Player w/ 5 years MLS cant be sent to minors on optional assignment without his consent