Saints’ Elliot Soto recounts his experience in minors amid MLB wage settlement

Saints infielder Elliot Soto is like a lot of minor league players in that he doesn’t know much about the $185 million settlement Major League Baseball made in a federal class-action suit filed on the part of players over minimum wage and overtime violations.

But he’s certain of one thing. “People aren’t going to feel sorry for us,” he said prior to the Saints’ 4-3, 10-inning victory over Toledo on Saturday at CHS Field, “because when we get to the major leagues we’re overpaid.”

The 32-year-old Soto has played professionally since 2010 and has had only a couple of brief stints in the majors (including this season). He’s been on a tight budget throughout his career.

“I can understand it when you’re starting out,” Soto said of the low pay, “but especially Triple-A, you’re knocking on the door to the big leagues, and you’re wondering if you can afford to go to Jimmy John’s.

“It’s like, ‘I’m going to skip lunch today and make a sandwich at the field.’ ”

Soto said it wasn’t until his seventh professional season that he earned what he considers a livable wage. “Now you’re good,” he said, “but you’re in debt, and by that time you might have a family.”

Along with the low pay, players only receive a salary during the season, which doesn’t include spring training. The worst living conditions Soto experienced took place in spring training when nine players shared a two-bedroom apartment.

Part of the settlement will lead to players getting paid in spring training. Few other details are known, including how many players are eligible to receive money. Soto said he remembers being approached at one point about attaching his name to the lawsuit, but he declined out of fear that it could lead to him losing his job.

“I believed in what they were doing,” he said, “but I just wasn’t willing to risk it. You’re at the mercy of (management). They can do whatever they want with you.”

Saints manager Toby Gardenhire played in the Twins’ farm system from 2005 to 2011, advancing from rookie ball to Triple-A. He turned pro after finishing his college career, so he said he was used to not having any money.

Still, he had his share of eye-opening moments.

“When I was in Low-A we lived in a two-bedroom apartment with six guys — and Brian Duensing’s wife,” Gardenhire said. “Brian Duensing had an air mattress in the kitchen. We had three air mattresses in one bedroom and two in the other.”

Things weren’t a whole lot better when he made it to Triple-A Rochester.

“I had an air mattress in the living room,” Gardenhire said. “That became the thing; we’d get one-bedroom apartments because they were the cheapest.”

And then there was the food — or lack of it.

“When I was in Elizabethton in rookie ball we would take batting practice, and right before the game we would go to the concession stand,” Gardenhire said. “I would get nachos or a hot dog. After the game I would go to either Taco Bell or Sonic, because those were the only places open.”

This season, for the first time, Saints players who don’t exceed a certain salary level are provided a furnished apartment that is walking distance from the ballpark. Players also get catered meals before and after the game.

The worst is clearly over, but Soto believes there’s more to do. He would like to see players being paid a livable wage.

“Maybe $60,000 for Triple-A players,” he said.  “(Major-league teams) can afford that.”

BRIEFLY

Miguel Sano hit a pair of solo home runs, his first with the Saints.