In this day of blogs and blackberry devices news and rumors spread at the speed of the light. This year's Winter Meetings were a great example of this. Look no further than the news of the Reds signing Livan Hernandez. A Seatte reporter posted to his blog and suddenly the news bit was quoted on hundreds of website within a matter of matters. Shortly thereafter it was realized that the reporter actually heard the Reds were about to get Ramon Hernandez and messes it up. RETRACTION PLEASE!

Another player that had various reports surrounding his name was Rafael Furcal, but in this case that is because he was changing his mind and breaking is word rather than a reporter jumping the gun. Furcal's agents, the Wasserman Media Group, used the media throughout the off-season to create a market for their client that in some cases was exaggerated or non-existent. Earlier in the week Furcal reportedly verablly agreed to a contract with the Braves and the club sent over an offer sheet, only to findout that Furcal resigned with the Dodgers at the last minute.

John Schuerholz, the Braves’ president and former general manager, Thursday called the dealings of Furcal’s agents “despicable” and “disgusting” and said the franchise would no longer entertain signing players represented by them — ever.

“Having been in this business for 40-some years, I’ve never seen anybody treated like that,” Schuerholz told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company — ever. I told [agent] Arn Tellem that we can’t trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I’ve never seen any [agency] act in such a despicable manner.

“It was disgusting and unprofessional. We’re a proud organization, and we won’t allow ourselves to be treated that way. I advised Arn Tellem that whatever players he represents, just scratch us off the list. Take the name of the Atlanta Braves off their speed dial. They can deal with the other 29 clubs, and we’ll deal with the other hundred agents.”

Tellem, the lead agent in the Wasserman Media Group, released a seven-point e-mail statement Thursday night, saying in part: “Losing out on an all-star player like Furcal is always disappointing, and we understand the Braves’ frustration with the outcome of this negotiation, but it does not change in any way the fact that we conducted ourselves with integrity and complied with all rules of Major League Baseball.

I am not blaming for Furcal for wanting to make as much money as possible. People that due aren't very honest with themselves. Still, your word is in the end your most valuable asset. Whether it was him or the agents acting in his place if these allegations are true Furcal is in the wrong.  

MLB dodgers, braves, rafael furcal, john schuerholz, wasserman media group, sports agents