Former Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell has remained unsigned throughout the winter meetings, prompting him to fire his agent, Matt Sosnick.
“He obviously believes that another agent would be more successful in finding him a job,” Sosnick told the San Francisco Chronicle. “It’s absolutely Bruce’s prerogative to be represented by another company and, quite frankly, it takes a lot of pressure off of me.”
Maxwell, who elected free agency in November, has not been signed by another team. According to the Chronicle, he "might not find work again" due to his arrest on gun possession and assault charges in October 2017 and his kneeling during the national anthem during parts of the 2017 season.
Maxwell took a deal and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, but at least one executive believes his protests during the national anthem are keeping teams away.
“It’s the kneeling thing that might keep him from getting another job, not the arrest,” one major-league executive told The Chronicle. “Owners aren’t going to want to deal with that whole anthem issue.”
Maxwell was tabbed to be the starting catcher for the A's in 2018, but his weight gain and lack of productivity during spring training prompted the team to sign Jonathan Lucroy.
“I just don’t see him as a fit for us,” one National League scout said Thursday. “He’s on the older side and there is too much baggage. He might have to play independent ball to try to work his way back.”
In 18 MLB games in 2018, Maxwell hit .182 and was demoted in June. He didn't return to MLB for the rest of the season.
“He’s a good player, a good offensive and defensive player when he is at his best,” Sosnick said. “I hope his new agent has better luck than I did.”