Indians C Mejia files lawsuit in payment dispute

Cleveland Indians catching prospect Francisco Mejia filed a lawsuit in February against the company Big League Advance (BLA) over his future major league earnings.

According to a report from ESPN, the suit claims BLA loaned Mejia $360,000 in exchange for a 10 percent stake in his future earnings and contends the company engaged in "wrongful and unconscionable conduct, including breaches of the duty of good faith and fair dealing."

BLA, run by former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Michael Schwimer, describes itself on its website "an investment fund that provides minor league baseball players with the resources they need to help make their dream a reality. Players receive capital -- not loans -- and a player keeps the funds whether or not he ever makes it to the major leagues. For players who make it to the major leagues, we share in their success."

Mejia signed three separate contracts with the company in 2016, according to the report. His suit asks the third contract, which superseded the first two, be declared unenforceable and the payment voided, and that he receive unspecified compensatory damages. BLA filed a counterclaim asking that Mejia's suit be dismissed, the contract be upheld, damages be assessed and the court issue a permanent injunction against Mejia to prevent him from disclosing information regarding his dealings with the company.

According to Mejia's claim, he reached agreement with BLA at a time when his mother was ill and he needed financial help to pay for her treatments. The suit states Mejia had no legal counsel present when he signed the third contract in December 2016.

Mejia's lawyers claim that he speaks no English; the 22-year-old completed the U.S. equivalent of ninth grade in his native Dominican Republic. Schwimer tells ESPN Mejia's representatives reviewed the contract before Mejia signed it and that BLA asked Mejia questions on video, with his agent listening in, in order to make sure he understood the deal.

"We asked Francisco if he understood that if he made $500 million in his MLB career, he would owe us $50 million throughout his career," Schwimer said. "We also asked if he understood that if he does not make it to the major leagues, he would not have to pay us anything back. He responded in the affirmative on both questions."

Schwimer also said Mejia approached the company about a fourth contract before filing the lawsuit.

Mejia, considered one of baseball's top prospects, hit .297 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 92 games with Double-A Akron last season. He was called up to the majors in September and hit .154 in 13 at-bats across 11 games with the Indians. Mejia was optioned to Triple-A to begin the 2018 season and has hit .194 in 31 at-bats with Columbus.

Mejia's suit alleges representatives from BLA showed up at his house in the Dominican Republic in December seeking $9,063, which is equivalent to 10 percent of his salary earned in his time in the majors. He claims the representatives threatened to sue him and prevent him from playing baseball if he didn't pay.

Schwimer denied the accusation and said the company doesn't know where Mejia lives.

--Field Level Media