Earlier today, super agent Scott Boras joined MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM to discuss the state of the free agent market. Here are a few highlights:
- While there are a variety of notable names still available in free agency Boras suggests that isn’t any cause for concern for those players. As he put it: “in free agency, I’m not sure you can put a calendar on it.” Boras went on to note that, of the $1.6B or so in free agent spending thus far, about $1.2B has gone to pitching. If you’re interested in more details on the current market setting, we broke down the spending to date and the outlook for still-unsigned players in a post yesterday.
- While he attributed the big starting pitching salaries this year to a natural reflection of last year’s Max Scherzer contract, Boras says there has been a “definite advance in the relief market.” He attributes that observation to a copycat phenomenon as teams seek to emulate the success of the Royals.
- As for his own clients that still remain on the market, Boras called slugger Chris Davis a “rare opportunity.” That’s due in large part to his undeniable power, but also — per Boras — because he can hit opposing lefties and provides more defensive versatility than one might think. Interestingly, Boras also noted that several American League East clubs (the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Yankees) are presently reliant on aging power sources that will hit free agency or retirement in the near future — hinting that those teams should be considering Davis not only for his immediate impact but also future organizational need.
- Boras also discussed center fielder Denard Span, who he says is recovering nicely from hip surgery. Some teams have already “been down to see him,” said the agent. He adds that he expects Span to find a deal “in the very near future.”
- While there were other topics of conversation as well, Boras also fielded an interesting question regarding what issues his clients see as having primary importance in the coming year’s CBA negotiations. Boras focused in on the qualifying offer system and limitations on draft spending, which he tied together by citing the obvious value that teams place on top selections.
Boras is smoking some high grade herb to think the Red Sox are a possible destination for Davis. Yes, Ortiz will retire next year and leave an opening on the roster but that competely ignores the albatross contracts of Ramirez and Sandoval. If the Red Sox are lucky Ramirez won’t cripple the team’s defense in ’16 and he’ll be able to take over the DH slot in ’17. Signing Davis doesn’t help them at all.
Well, in theory they could play him at third and push Pablo to the bench where he belongs, so it would be a helpful addition (even with the undoubtedly bad defense).
Or a more likely scenario is throw Davis in LF and Castillo to the bench for one year and then move him to 1B in 2017 after Ortiz retires
Or in theory they have so much money they could pay Pablo or Hanley to play for another city.
He is right about the power situation in Boston though. It could be alright, if Pedroia gets his power back (not likely given his age and size), or if Sandoval and Hanley right the ship. But if none of those happen it’s really Ortiz and not much else. I’ve thought since the beginning of the off-season that they could use to trade one of their three OF (all low-ish power, great D) for a power hitting corner OF. They remain a possible destination for a Carlos Gonzalez, for example.
Chris Young got pop, but unfortunately he won’t be an everyday player since he does so poorly against RHP
None of these teams want anything to do with Boras ……. He has screwed them all too many times and worn out his welcome. If his clients want to play in NY, Boston or Toronto they need to switch agency’s ……… like A-Rod et.al ……….players are deserting him like rats on the Titanic.
an owner/GM would be foolish NOT to deal with Boros if he has the player/pitcher they feel would put them over the top. Boros hasn’t forced ANY owner to pay. The teams pay these players because they feel those players will help their bottom line. As for Boros….remember a few years ago, he was very patient with Prince Fielder. A lot of people thought Boros had terribly overpriced his client. But, Prince has made nearly $100 million over the last four years and will make nearly $120 million over the next five years as well. Boros delivers ….why? Because he knows the market.
Boris name being said is like when your doctor says you have cancer bad news for baseball
Yankees don’t have to worry about getting Davis, they’ll just trade for Goldschmidt for like, a half-eaten sandwich.
Not a chance. It will take at least a whole pastrami and swiss on rye. IF Dave Stewart is really feeling adventurous, he might even insist on a pickle spear being added to the package.
For Arizona to part with him the Sox would probably have to send Sandoval, Hanley AND Craig. But for a return like that something like $10-$15MM would probably have to go to Boston too.
Why in the world would they want to take on payroll of two guys on the decline. You’re crazy if you think they’ll trade him for a bag of garbage. They are not going to trade him at all if it wasn’t for a rebuild and that’s not there plan right now.
But then again it’s Dave Stewart so who knows lol.
I don’t know if I am reading the above correctly, but I don’t really think Pablo or, especially, Hanley, are exactly “assets” in terms of trading for someone another team values.
The Sox could likely plop them out at the end of the driveway with a “free (but you still gotta pay my salary)” sign on them, and I doubt anyone would be stopping and loading up the truck.
So 3 players that no one in baseball wants for one of the most valuable player in the game?
Try Bogaerts, E-Rod, Devers, Benintendi
You guys don’t get sarcasm do you?
More like 100 mil would have to go to arizona, and then they still wouldn’t do this.
Some interesting trolling going on here to think for a moment that anyone would want Sandoval, Ramirez & Craig! LOL
I guess you guys didn’t catch Michael’s sarcasm?
Thank you for not taking it seriously, Mo.
Unfortunately, there is not sarcasm font…yet.
The Blue Jays have bigger needs than an younger power bat. Their bullpen is mediocre in a division where Craig Kimbrel & Aroldis Chapman are now in the division to go along with Zach Britton. They need to strengthen their bullpen.
I think the Jays’ rotation is in even worse shape than their pen. You have Stroman and a bunch of back-end starters(I’m not expecting Estrada to repeat last year).
So Jays need a starter and reliever?
Not gonna spend the money because after arb they are gonna be over their 140 mill budget.
So a trade for good affordable players, with upside.
Teheran?
Grilli
Bailey(ton of money owed)
Braves seem like a match.
Grilli and Peterson for Pompey?
Don’t know if Jays have the pieces for Teheran given what pitchers are going
Blue Jays had their chance and somehow failed with that roster.
Baseball will never be fair so some teams only get their big chance every few years.
Playoffs are a crapshoot. Always.
Fair?
So are there any legit contenders to sign Davis? I know the Orioles gave him an offer, but thats it
Davis is a prime candidate to take a pillow contract a la Nelson Cruz, then cash in next year when the market is more favorable.
Why in the world would you take a pillow contract when there is a $154 million dollar one on the table?
How is the market going to be any more favorable? There were no other options at 1B even comparable to Davis this year. He’ll still get paid.
So what happens if Davis takes a “pilllow contract’ and hit .190 and strikes out 220 times next year? I would think he would be playing in Japan in 2017 if that happened. 150 million on the table is idiotic to walk away from. Cruz never had an offer like that. In fact it is Idiotic for the Orioles to offer a deal like that to a guy who is going to turn 30 before the season begins and has 14 career WAR.
The problem with Davis is that you should expect to get 2 to 3 solid years of production, then you have to hope and pray that the next 3 to 4 years will not be a total disaster AND there is no guarantee that those first 2-3 years won’t be a disaster in-and-of themselves. That is Davis’ and Boras’ problem – there is a TON of risk with signing Davis. If I were writing the checks, I wouldn’t be comfortable with more than 6/$20 million per and even at that, I’d be pretty darn uncomfortable.
Davis would probably be rich and happy with the Orioles by now if it wasn’t for Boras
Is it fair to blame Boras? Davis hired the man knowing full well who and what he was . . Kind of like the king saying he not responsible for the executioner.
Yes, by all means, blame Boras. Although probably Davis isn’t worth the $155mm Baltimore offered him.
I don’t blame Boras nor the players but don’t act self righteous while he is representing you. Tell the truth and just say trying get all I can get. Don’t act like you are interested in your old teammates or fans. And yes teams want players on the cheap as well. The loyality in professional sports is summed up in “In God We Trust” printed on the billions of dollars they fight over.
The question is who needs a first basemen/ corner outfielder. The Orioles are the only team who have the hole. Not unless some player goes down with an injury, like Detroit when victor Martinez went down and they signed prince. He’ll probably head back to the O’s. You can always hate and love Scott boras for who he is but he tries to get best money out of his clients even though teams aren’t willing to pay the piper.
If I were a player, Boros is the guy I would want as my agent. His W-L record is pretty darn good. He knows the market as well as anyone. Don’t blame him for the high salaries his clients receive. All he can do is ask. As for what he says, well naturally….a lot of it is PR BS. He’s a smart guy and understands how the game is played.
A lot of uncertainty in the AL East, but I kinda like the Rays and their pitching. I think they’ll have the better all around team if they can find a bit more offense.
Are you serious …………… Rays will be dead last this year
Boras is the worse thing to happen to Baseball since the Black Sox
Boras is cancer
Boras is part of the fact that the game is just as much a business. To compare him to gambling and game fixing is borderline insulting.
all those baseball players who hire him to get their share of a multi-billion dollar industry built largely on their blood, sweat and tears disagree.
Yankees are not going to sign Davis. They will deal with their aging and soon to be leaving older power in a different way–and signing Davis at the money Boras wants has to be multiplied by the luxury tax. Boras has a job to do, to gin up a market, and he’s usually exceptionally good at it. Davis will get his money. At the amount Baltimore was offering, perhaps he should have taken it, but the man will get paid, one way or another. Boras is right about the QO system. It creates unnecessary distortions. If you are worried about losing a good player without compensation, maybe skip the loss of pick for the signing team, but still give the former team the sandwich pick. The fact is it’s irrelevant for the top tier players. The only “savings” is on the tier below, and it;s not clear to me that is even true. Money not being spent on somewhat lesser players is going to like-kind players without the draft-pick drag.
Just like Boras got Kendrys Morales, Stephen Drew, and Edwin Jackson paid. I feel Chris Davis is going to end up getting less than a 1/3rd of the Orioles offer in the end. He is too inconsistent to give a long term deal to.
Boras is the flim flam man who would make P T Barnum proud. He’s repeatedly demonstrated that there’s a sucker born every minute.
Just ask the owners he’s swindled during free agency. My suggestion to all teams Just Say No as you’ll be better off if you did.
Just say no? My Cubs better not “just say no” when Bryant’s time comes up. Bryant is a Boras client…
Every guy has a price if he doesn’t fit in the teams payroll so be it. Jed and Theo will always try to keep the team in contention and that’s the only thing we could wish for imo.
are you trying to tell me these owners/gm’s aren’t as smart as Boros?
Who cares what this blowhard, ambulance chasing, snake oil salesman has to say. This guy makes me sick. Yes, every team should pay $200 mill to Chris Davis, who may not hit.200 in a year.
Yawn. Boras is a walking advertisement for a salary cap.
Just as the Marlins, Astros, and Rays field teams that grossly demonstrate the need for a floor
The MLBPA is only ever going to go along with it if it either comes with a floor, or what makes more sense to me, some serious revenue sharing so that almost every team can be in on almost every FA.
As it stands it’s like an auction where the seller can throw bids in just to jack things up.
Nobody in the east wants to afford ‘juice boy’
Juice boy? I’m guessing you don’t know what he got suspended for.
I predict Colabello/Smoak platoon will be just as effective this year for the Jays as whatever Davis will do. Plus the risk is nicely hedged with Encarnacion able to play there if needed. I would be extremely disappointed if we spend money on a first baseman instead of more pitching.