TBNL: Tatis sues Big League Advance, Ureña joins his fourth team, more AI in Boston

Michael Schwimer’s pro career wasn’t necessarily memorable. Philadelphia selected the right-hander in the 14th round of the 2008 Draft and signed him for a meager $5,000 signing bonus. Schwimer, a graduating senior at the University of Virginia, didn’t have much leverage in negotiations.

Three years later, Schwimer was making his debut in the Phillies bullpen. He made 47 appearances between the 2011-12 seasons, posting a 4.62 ERA (87 ERA+) with 23 walks and 52 strikeouts over 48.2 IP. The Phillies traded him the next winter to the Toronto Blue Jays. Schwimer would make just six appearances with the Jays’ Triple-A affiliate before a torn labrum ended his season and career.

In 2016, Schwimer founded Big League Advance. BLA markets itself as a company that “provides unique opportunities for athletes.”

Schwimer spoke with OutKick’s Darren Heitner in March 2021 about the BLA business model:

BLA’s website boasts having signed more than 700+ athletes to deals over the years. A slideshow scrolls groups of names across the screen, where it becomes wildly apparent just how much of the company’s business model relies on players from Latin American countries.

San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. filed a lawsuit against BLA on Monday in San Diego County Superior Court, according to an Associated Press report. The suit alleges that BLA used “predatory tactics to lure him into an investment deal" that was actually an illegal loan. Part of the suit also seeks public injunctions to help prevent “other young athletes from being lured into such deals.”

Tatis signed with BLA when he was just 17 years old. He received a $2 million payment in exchange for 10% of his future earnings. Tatis signed a 14-year, $340 million extension with the Padres in February 2021. Any future contracts would also be impacted.

This is not the first time BLA has been sued. Catcher Francisco Mejia filed suit in April 2018, looking to have his deal with BLA voided for similar reasons. Mejia had received $360,000 from the company in 2016 in exchange for 10% of his future earnings.

Six months later, he would surprisingly drop the suit completely.

Mejia played with the Indians, Padres, and Rays between 2017-23. Spotrac has his career earnings at just over $5.4 million.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Tatis’s case and whether additional players opt to follow a similar path.

There’s also some irony to the situation. Schwimer started BLA, believing that drafted players and minor leaguers are essentially taken advantage of with low pay. His company is now being accused of taking advantage of players from poorer, less-educated backgrounds. BLA may be doing exactly what Schwimer feels was done to him.

More AI-fueled trouble at Fenway

The Boston Red Sox's front office already faced criticism earlier this month after it became publicly known that they are using (and doing so poorly) AI in part of their hiring process for key roles. It seems a new issue is developing at Fenway Park, though this one is more focused on Aramark, the company that manages the team’s concessions, than it is on the club.

Last week, according to a report from Sportico and Yahoo! Sports’s Jason Clinkscales, members of Unite Here Local 26, the Boston chapter of the hospitality workers’ union, authorized the first strike in the 113-year history of the ballpark.

Employees have been working without a contract since December 2024, though negotiations have been ongoing. The key items the union is pushing for include wage increases and limits to the use of automation (specifically AI). Some employees have complained that their tips have gone down since some AI-powered checkout machines were installed throughout the ballpark.

Vet joins fourth organization this year

Veteran journeyman right-hander José Ureña will be joining his fourth organization of the season. According to reports, Ureña has agreed to a minor league deal wth the Minnesota Twins and has been assigned to the Triple-A affiliate in St. Paul.

Ureña started the season with the New York Mets, but was released on May 1. The 33-year-old would sign with the Toronto Blue Jays a week later, but would again find himself back on the open market in early June. He would join the Los Angeles Dodgers a day later and would spend 10 days with the team.

Across 18.1 IP with the three teams, Ureña has a 5.40 ERA (80 ERA+), 10 strikeouts, and has walked five.

Over his 11-year career, Ureña has a 4.78 ERA (86 ERA+) and 645 strikeouts in nearly 1,000 innings of work (966.2). He spent the first six seasons with the Marlins, but has since bounced around the league, appearing with eight other teams. Should he reach the majors with Minnesota — which shouldn’t be out of the question considering the injury woes the Twins are dealing with while stuck in 4th place in the AL Central — that would put Ureña within reach of tying an MLB record.

Right-hander Oliver Drake appeared with five different teams during the 2018 season. Drake pitched for the Brewers, Indians, Angels, Blue Jays, and Twins that year to set the mark. In 44 appearances totaling 47.2 IP, he posted a 5.29 ERA (83 ERA+) with 51 strikeouts.

Elsewhere, around the sport …

• San Diego has released Jason Heyward after he hit just .176/.223/.271 (37 OPS+) over 95 PA this season. The 35-year-old also missed time due to knee inflammation and an oblique strain, but the Padres elected not to place him back on the active roster now that he’s healthy. This might be the end for the 16-year veteran.

• Whit Merrifield announced his retirement on Tuesday. “Two-hit Whit” batted .280/.328/.413 (101 OPS+) with 94 home runs and 218 stolen bases over his nine-year career with the Royals, Blue Jays, Phillies, and Braves.

• The Diamondbacks’ efforts to renovate Chase Field took a major step forward. The Arizona House of Representatives has approved $500 million in funding, according to a report from Front Office Sports’ Eric Fisher. Fisher notes that the club will spend an additional $250 million. Discussions have opened to extend the team’s lease, which expires after the 2027 season.

More words

James Wood tied a Nationals mark set by Bryce Harper and Juan Soto

Marlins lose Max Meyer to an injury for the second time in four seasons