“Preys on young, unsophisticated athletes, offering lump-sum advances in exchange for significant portions of their future earnings.” The words used by the Dodgers’ nemesis in his lawsuit highlighted a troubling system. A decision he made at the age of 18 has now come back to haunt him, especially since Fernando Tatis Jr. has become a cornerstone player for the Padres.

The player at the center of this legal storm is Fernando Tatis Jr., whose $340 million contract with the Padres seemed like a dream come true. But it carried a price—one he agreed to pay seven years earlier when Big League Advance Fund gave him $2 million in exchange for 10% of his future baseball earnings. Now 26, Tatis is discovering that walking away from that deal is far more complicated than he anticipated.

On September 11, arbitrator Anthony J. Carpinello made a decision. As per that, Tatis owes Big League Advance $3.74M. The total breaks down to $3.23 million in unpaid earnings, $240,515 in interest, $250,000 in attorneys’ fees, and $14,349 in costs. Carpinello denied Tatis’ claim that the investment firm was acting as an unlicensed lender, focusing on young players who are in need.

The arbitrator saw it differently.

Big League Advance “has ‘loaned’ nothing” to Tatis, Carpinello wrote. They made an investment in him. If Tatis had never made it to the majors, he wouldn’t have owed a cent. That deal, according to Carpinello, made this an investment deal, not predatory lending.

But Fernando Tatis Jr. pushed back hard.

He argued the contract broke California’s financing laws and that its language was too vague about what he actually owed. He regularly made payments throughout 2023 but stopped last year. Tatis Jr. said the terms were unclear and that giving up 10% of a $340 million contract—about $34 million—was too high a return on a $2 million investment.

Meanwhile, BLA isn’t waiting around. They’ve asked a Washington, D.C. court to officially confirm what the arbitrator decided, moving them closer to collecting what they’re owed. Courts usually respect arbitration decisions, which puts the firm in a strong position even as Fernando Tatis Jr. continues fighting in California to have the entire contract put to an end.

Now, while the courtroom drama continues to unfold, Fernando Tatis Jr. hasn’t let the legal pressure affect his performance. And that just got recognized.

Batting brilliance of Fernando Tatis Jr. amid a legal storm

Fernando Tatis Jr. is getting praise for one thing he can still control: How he plays. Tatis was nominated for a Hank Aaron Award this season, which is given to the greatest offensive players in each league. Even with all the turmoil going on, his bat has made him one of the best hitters in the league.

This was one of Tatis’s most balanced seasons yet.

He had the highest walk percentage of his career at 12.9%, which means he was more patient in the strike zone. He also stole 32 bases, which is a personal best, and hit 25 home runs with an OPS of .814. While they might not be as flashy as they were in 2021, he has improved his game by blending power, contact, and aggression smartly. That change in game plan and being consistent on the field has paid off.

Tatis’ defense has also been noticed. While many thought he was only going to talk about Gold Gloves, the Hank Aaron nod changes that story: He’s still a dangerous player at the plate and still making plays in right field.

Amid Tatis dealing with the legal battle, this nomination is more than just a prize; it’s a reminder that Fernando Tatis Jr. is still one of the best players on the field. Off the field, however, the arbitration setback serves as a sharp reminder: Early contracts might have effects that follow a player even when he is at the top.