Morton’s Steakhouse? Capital Grille? Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse? Those are so old school. Next time you are going to sit down with an owner to sign a multi-million dollar deal for your client, do it at a fast food joint! That’s the setting for Torii Hunter’s contractual negotiations.
Larry Reynolds of Reynolds Sports Management does not care where the signing takes place, as long as his clients are justly compensated. The Anaheim Angels ended up giving Hunter a 5-year $90 million contract, which is the highest valued contract in Angels history [Angels’ special order filled in Corona].
So where do you ink the largest contract in Angels history? At a Del Taco, of course! Reynolds and the Angels GM finished up the deal at a local hotel. I am sure that no one was actively searching for either party in either locales. I actually find it warming that two people could negotiate such an important deal in a comfortable setting. Negotiations should not be adversarial, but where both sides give a little to one another before an amicable deal is created.
Here is Hunter’s take on the contract negotiations between his agent and the Angels GM:
“I always imagined my deal would get done inside a board room or a Capital Grille. Turns out it was done at a Del Taco. Can you believe it? The deal gets done over some tacos.“
Must have been the best tasting Tacos in Larry Reynolds’ life.
As a side note, the Minnesota Twins are looking to fill their taco void by trading Johan Santana for Tacoby Bellsbury and others.
-Darren Heitner
