Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella resigned on Monday amid an investigation into multiple allegations of rule breaking that could cost the team one of its top international prospects, according to a report.
The Braves announced the news of Coppolella’s resignation with this statement:
Atlanta Braves General Manager John Coppolella has resigned from his position, effective immediately. pic.twitter.com/lOQZEkw8Ur
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 2, 2017
Hours later, Yahoo’s Jeff Passan shared details about all the allegations the executive is facing.
According to Passan, Coppolella met with MLB last week to be interviewed about several accusations. Per Passan, the accusations include:
– bundling bonuses in Latin America to circumvent international signing rules
– under-the-table benefits given to at least one draft pick
– pre-draft deals struck well in advance
Passan says the latter two accusations are still being investigated.
MLB puts a cap on signing bonuses allowed for international players. One way teams can circumvent signing bonus limits per player is by signing multiple players represented by the same “buscon” — a Spanish term for a trainer who represents players. They can give greater bonuses to lesser prospects with the money being funneled to the better prospect through the buscon.
The Braves may have also worked out an international prospect in America before signing him, which is illegal.
The player they could end up losing is Venezuelan shortstop Kevin Maitan. Maitan, 17, was signed last year for a $4.25 million bonus. He batted .241 in 42 games in rookie ball.
One of the accusations of under-the-table draft bonuses involves second-round pick Drew Waters, who signed for $1.5 million when the slot called for $1.675 million. Waters’ agent and the Braves said that the offer of a car to make up for the difference was made in jest.
Passan reports that the Braves were very aggressive in trying to work out predraft deals with prospects, which is not unusual/uncommon for teams, but is nonetheless illegal and looks worse when added to multiple examples of breaking rules.
Passan’s article also contains an anecdote from an agent who says he received a tampering call from Coppolella months before free agency. The article describes Coppolella as a power-hungry executive who leveraged media contacts, broke rules, and did more to ascend.
Coppolella, 38, has been with the Braves since 2006, climbing from director of baseball operations to GM. He lasted just two years as the team’s GM.
