Scott Boras is on a roll. There are others, but this is his best so far:
There’s more at Janes’s Twitter feed.
Funny Agent
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Category Archives: Agents
No Ohtani Drama
The whole Shohei Ohtani drama about where he will play in 2023 and where he will go after that seems to be a bit overblown. Here’s his agent, Nez Balelo:
“But look, that’s ways down the road. We don’t know. We can think about free agency, we can not think about free agency, but we know this: That he’s going to be an Angel in ’23. We’re going to play it out. We’re going to enjoy it. And take one year at a time. And that’s always been our philosophy.”
LATimes.com
He is a nine WAR, two way player who will still be in his prime for the 2024 season. The Angels are paying him $30 million next year, in his final season of arbitration. The Angels, however, showed themselves unable to win despite two of the greatest players ever on their roster. I suspect he will go the free agent route after next year.
Let’s take his agent literally for moment and say their philosophy continues to be to take it a year at a time. Why not do one-year free agent contracts? A long-term contract, say ten years, might net Otani $400 million, because there is risk involved. Playing both sides of the ball brings a higher injury risk, and he does have an injury history. But a team might be willing to pay him $70 to $80 million for one year deal. So maybe a team like Tampa Bay or Seattle or Milwaukee would be willing to go that high for one year to get over the World Series hump. Three years in a row like that, and he has most of the possible ten year deal, and the money in the bank sooner. He might even help three different teams win championship!
We’ll see. He could achieve the same type of thing with opt-out clauses. Ohtani broke the mold of how we think of our superstars, maybe he can do the same thing with free agency.
Closing Close
Sources indicated to the media that Freddie Freeman parted ways with his agent Casey Close. Neither Freeman nor Close confirms this, but it would appear that Freeman speaking with the Braves over the weekend discovered the negotiations to keep him in Atlanta didn’t go quite the way Freeman thought they did.
Just after the lockout, Close made an offer and gave the Braves an hour to finish the deal:
When that deadline passed, sources say, Close and Anthopoulos agreed that there were no offers on the table. The Braves — believing that Close’s deadline meant that Freeman was about to conclude a deal with another team, likely the Dodgers, quickly pivoted to make a blockbuster deal for Oakland Athletics All-Star Matt Olson and signed 27-year-old Olson to an eight-year, $168 million contract. That effectively ended any chance Freeman would return.
ESPN.com
Freeman did not sign with the Dodgers for another week.
Buying the Minor Leagues
This article at the Athletic (subscription may be required) focuses on a conflict between the MLBPA and Endeavor, an agency that represents players. Endeavor owns WME Sports, which is buying up minor league teams. The MLBPA is threatening to remove the certification of Endeavor is they don’t divest from the team ownership part of the company. I believe the Athletic buried the lede, however:
Endeavor and its private equity investor Silver Lake have become the single largest owner of minor league franchises, adding the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers late last year. They have aspirations to scoop up as many as 40 of the 120 minor league teams over time, a potentially major sea change in minor league baseball, and another form of consolidation in a sport that has seen a lot during commissioner Rob Manfred’s tenure.
TheAthletic.com
Affiliated minor league teams do not compete against each other, they develop players. There is a flow of money from MLB to these minor league teams. I suspect that by owning many teams, there is an economy of scale that allows Endeavor to capture a higher percentage of that flow as revenue. They also can test various ways of bringing fans out in different markets, and apply what works best to all the clubs.
Of top of that, there are two anti-trust lawsuits against MLB. One was brought by minor league clubs, the other by the players. If one or both caused the reversal of the anti-trust exemption, it might then be possible for minor league teams to become competitive again. There is a chance in that scenario where minor league clubs become more valuable, and Endeavor sells off the franchises at a nice profit.
Here is WME’s statement on the purchases:
“Opportunities to move into an ownership position of a sport so steeped in history are increasingly rare, and we are confident this will drive meaningful growth in the Owned Sports Properties segment of our company,” said Mark Shapiro, President of Endeavor, via press release. “Just as we’ve done for the UFC, PBR and Euroleague, we see tremendous potential to turbocharge these storied Clubs using the scale and capabilities of Endeavor. Our expertise across sponsorship sales, event operations, licensing, marketing and content creation will bring incredible value to these Clubs, supporting communities across the country who form the backbone of the Professional Development League system.”
BallparkDigest.com
This strikes me as a much more important story that conflict between the union and agents.
The Wedge
Buster Olney at ESPN.com correctly calls out Mets owner Steve Cohen for a damaging statement on twitter directed at Steven Matz‘s agent:
What Cohen doesn’t seem to understand, or care to acknowledge, is that every time he publicly gripes about agents, his offense, or the fans, he is denting the franchise that cost him $2.475 billion. Tweet by tweet, he is feeding the perception among rival executives and agents, and, most importantly, among players, that the Mets have somehow become more dysfunctional under Cohen than they were under the Wilpon family, the previous ownership group — and that is an extraordinarily high bar. He is feeding the perception that the Mets are evolving into their own Big Apple Circus, with the owner looming as a threat to attack everything from agents to slumping hitters.
ESPN.com
The Mets lost out on Matz. In the end, it’s Matz’s decision. Maybe his agent thought he could deliver Matz to the Mets, but if that’s not what Matz wanted, it was not going to happen.
Give Cohen’s day job, he should know deals fall through for a myriad of reasons. By blaming an agent, he makes drives a wedge between all agents and his front office. That likely means higher prices for less talented players, exactly the opposite of what any teams needs.
Complaints and Conflicts
Scott Boras denigrated the Braves World Series victory:
“We have seen the championship in 60 days,” Boras said. “The rules allow them to be a less-than-.500 team at Aug. 1 and add four players, five players from teams that no longer wanted to compete, and for very little cost change the entirety of their team and season.
“And we saw this unfold to the detriment of teams that create at vast expense, planning and intellect and won over 100 games. In doing all this, we have now created an understanding that a fan would not know who the true team is until, frankly, the trading deadline.”
AJC.com
Boras goes on to name the cause of all this:
Boras blames behavior on restraints imposed on amateur spending in 2012. The caps came as the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros undertook rebuilds that resulted in World Series titles, informing decisions by other clubs to tear down.
Boras represents many top draft picks and has lost revenue because of the system of draft signing pools that no team has exceeded by more than 5%.
Of course, the agent who helps these drafted players sign those contracts make less money, too. Like it or not, the players Boras represents agreed to these caps. It would have been nice if in 2012 he had convinced his clients not to go along with that part of the deal.
I agree with Boras on the signing restrictions, but it strikes me that he’s looking out for his own wallet as much as for the game or the amateur players.
Boras on Grip
Agent Scott Boras spoke to the Athletic on the use of substances to increase a pitcher’s grip on the ball:
Of course, this could be true, and also that it got out of hand. It really seems batters and pitchers want some way of getting a better grip. MLB knows this, and is working on a ball that is less slick. I suspect no one thought that this would get to the point where it would kill offense.
Bauer and Heyman Feud
Trevor Bauer called out Jon Heyman for reporting on Bauer’s free agent demands. The sticking point was lack of comment from Bauer’s agent:
Bauer also took Heyman to task for saying Luba declined comment because, according to Bauer, she did not decline comment. Luba herself tweeted late Tuesday night that she was “traveling all day” and hadn’t read Heyman’s text messages seeking comment.
“If you’re referring to prior conversations we’ve had, when I declined to comment, I feel it’s disingenuous to tweet this without giving me a chance to respond to your texts this evening,” Luba wrote.
NYPost.com
Bauer continues to be one of the more fascinating personalities in the game. I have to believe, however, that some day his lack of filters is going to get him in a lot of trouble.
Boras Switch
The AP profiles agent Scott Boras, who got the free agent market moving this year:
He opened the winter meetings by striking a $245 million, seven-year deal between World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals. That record contract for pitchers lasted just one day, shattered when Boras got Gerrit Cole a $324 million, nine-year agreement with the New York Yankees. Boras finished the meetings by landing third baseman Anthony Rendon a $245 million, seven-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
FoxSports.com
Normally, I think of Boras as an agent who is willing to wait out the teams to get the best deal for his players. This year, he and his players took a good offer when it came along. Did he come to realize that teams no longer want to get in bidding wars? That they were not going to change much from their initial offers? Have Boras and the teams started to reach the same conclusions about the value of players?
It could be that Boras realizes the value of keeping baseball in the press. Big free agent contracts excite fans and sell tickets. I wonder if Boras is simply trying to grow the game again by bringing excitement to the off-season, with the idea that growth now leads to even bigger contracts in the future. I find this change fascinating.
Alonso Strikes
The NL loads the bases in the top of the eighth inning with one out, and Pete Alonso drives in two runs with a smash off the glove of Gleyber Torres. That cuts the AL lead to 4-3. The hitters have done much better against the relief all-stars than the starter all-stars.
Wood to the Woodshed
An agent was fired over a surveillance scandal:
A baseball agent has been fired after an accusation he used a camera to surreptitiously record clients in a shower.
CSE Talent, the agency headed by Lonnie Cooper, said in a statement Wednesday that it had fired Jason Wood, who had headed its baseball division since last April.
FanRag Sports reported a player, whom it did not identify, discovered the camera while using a shower at Wood’s home.
I continued to be amazed at the way people will put their livelihoods in jeopardy by violating others.
Boras Speaks
Scott Boras is unhappy with the way MLB Network covered the draft when it came to Boras and the players he represents:
“What I find interesting is, MLB has censored its announcers from referencing our company,” Boras said in a text message. “MLB is not committed to a free journalistic standard.”
Boras’ name was referenced on one occasion during Monday night’s broadcast, when MLB Network analyst Greg Amsinger cited the agent’s involvement as a likely reason for the two players slipping, and draft authority Jonathan Mayo half-jokingly referred to him as “Lord Voldemort.”
Boras also said the network’s draft coverage has fostered an inaccurate perception that he has strained relationships with teams, and some of his players have fallen in the draft and lost money as a result.
Since MLB Network is owned by Major League Baseball, there’s no reason to believe they are unbiased. Luckily for Boras, there are plenty of other competing media outlets who air his grievances. With luck, that will push MLB Network to be more responsible.
Agent Rules
The MLBPA is making it tougher to get certified as an agent. While this is likely being touted as being better for the players, it’s really better for the existing agents, as it makes it tougher for new ones to come online.
Lone Gunman
Melky Cabrera‘s agents were cleared of wrongdoing related to the cover up of Melky’s drug use:
An investigation by the MLB Players Association into the embattled ACES agency cleared powerful agents Seth and Sam Levinson in the attempted cover-up of Melky Cabrera’s positive test for testosterone, two sources with knowledge of the findings told Yahoo! Sports.
While the union is expected to discipline the agency for lack of oversight over Juan Nunez, the consultant who helped concoct fake websites to explain Cabrera’s positive, a memo distributed to ACES clients and obtained by Yahoo! Sports said such sanctions “will not compromise ACES’ ability to represent you in contract negotiations.”
Of course, the agency loses a big pay day, as Melky won’t make as much money as he would if the performance had been clean.
Bad Day for Agents
In addition to his investigation, a former baseball agent pleaded guilty to charges of “of computer tampering with sexual motivation.”
The Boras-Nationals Alliance
Scott Boras defends the Nationals decision to shut down Stephen Strasburg at some point this season. Boras also takes some credit for helping build the team into one that’s contending for a championship:
The truth: Rizzo placing a player’s health concerns over a series-or-bust, win-now mentality won over Boras early on in their relationship, and it’s the primary reason the Nationals have the players they do now.
“The good thing about Rizzo, when I had Strasburg – and you know he was a 20-year-old draftee, a year early — I said, ‘Look, you want to draft these players? Great, but you know what, I’m not on board,” Boras said he told Rizzo. “We won’t sign and I’ll send them back to college. I want to make sure we have an organization that will put the health of these players first.”
So by the Nationals agreeing to take care of players, well before anyone got hurt, Boras will let Washington work deals with his players.
Stories circulated over the years of teams not wanting to deal with Boras clients, to not drafting them to not wanting to sign them as free agents. I’ll suggest Washington played a little Moneyball here, and exploited a market inefficiency by signing Boras clients. They’re not cheap, but so far they seem to be paying off. The whole article is well worth the read.
Appel Stock
Where Have you Gone, Andy Van Slyke discusses what might happen between the Pirates and Mark Appel as the signing deadline approaches on Friday.
If you want to veer further into theoretical territory, Appel and Boras will have a much harder time challenging the system if Appel doesn’t sign, because then he’s not really part of the system. There’s a much stronger argument to be made that the new draft system kept Appel from signing for his true value if Appel actually signs a contract.
That could be a very interesting lawsuit.
Little Talk
Sports Agent Blog sits down with agent Tom Little of the SFX Baseball group.
Boras Wants Owners to Spend
Via Metsblog.com, Scott Boras comes down on the Mets ownership, and big market owners who don’t spend in general:
“The major franchises who are getting the majority of revenues should provide a product, or an attempt at a product, that has the near-highest payrolls commensurate with the markets they are in.”
Boras also said that “the betterment of the game requires us often to look beyond the personal needs of an ownership.”
He added: “If a player does not perform for the betterment of their team, then teams bring in other players. On the other side, there has to be an equation where there are requirements for ownership to perform at certain levels, and if they don’t, they would lose their right to own a club and be replaced. I believe if we do that, we’re going to have a better game.”
Of course Scott wants owners to spend more money, since he makes more money that way. Owners, however, want to win while spending the least amount of money, since they make more money that way. Boras should try to be a little less transparent.
The Lozano File
Deadspin reports on Dan Lozano, Albert Pujols’s agent, and his alleged dirty tactics in dealing with with clients, other agents and front offices.
Albert Pujols was the best thing that ever happened to Dan Lozano, who by 2004 was nearly broke, colleagues say. A source familiar with the negotiations says the Cardinals knew of Lozano’s money issues (as did many GMs around baseball), and they knew he was desperate to get a contract extension signed as soon as possible.
“How can you handle your client’s finances when you can’t handle your own?” asks a rival agent.
The result: eight years at $14.5 million a year. One executive called it “the best owner’s contract in baseball,” according to a baseball source.
What’s Wrong With Boras
Another ballplayer dumps Scott Boras as his agent:
Veteran outfielder Carlos Beltran has left Scott Boras’ agency and is now represented by Dan Lozano, a baseball source told ESPN.com.
Beltran, 34, is a .283 hitter with 302 home runs in 14 big league seasons. He is expected to be one of the most highly pursued players on the free-agent market this offseason.
It used to be players wanted Boras fighting for them. I wonder if other agents are willing to work for less, or if Boras has so many clients that some don’t feel they get personal attention?
Proper Inducement
Sports Agent Blog wonders if Bibi Jones counts as a proper or improper inducement.
Eye Candy Agent
The Biz of Baseball reports Terry Bross was the agent introducing players to an adult film actress.
Money for Nothing and Your Chicks for Free
An adult films actress says she used to help an agent recruit new clients:
“It wasn’t even expected for me to hook up with these guys,” she said. “It was just like I was arm candy for him. I was the one that wanted to hook up with these guys.”
Apparently, it was a way for her to get to athletes, particularly baseball players, and a way for the agent to make a lasting impression.
“It was like a dream come true because I love athletes and baseball’s my favorite sport,” she told Business Insider.
Sex still sells.
Not New for Nova
Ivan Nova briefly changed agents, but returned to his original representation.
Weaver’s Own Deal
Jered Weaver says he left money on the table, not taking advice from his agent Scott Boras:
Jered Weaver admits he had to go against the advice of agent Scott Boras before agreeing to the Los Angeles Angels’ five-year, $85 million contract extension, but he said the lure of staying home outweighed the seduction of greater riches.
“If $85 (million) is not enough to take care of my family and other generations of families then I’m pretty stupid, but how much money do you really need in life?” Weaver said Tuesday. “I’ve never played this game for the money. I played it for the love and the competitive part of it. It just so happens that baseball’s going to be taking care of me for the rest of my life.”
I guess this helps the Angels pay for Vernon Wells. 🙂
I wonder if the union is a little miffed at Weaver as well. They like players to earn as much money as possible to keep driving up salaries.
Good for Weaver, however, to play where he wanted. There’s a lot to be said for doing what you love where you enjoy living.
Not So Secret Agents
Sports Agent Blog lists first round draft choices and their representatives.
Talking to an Agent
Darren Heitner interviews Barry Meister.
The Boras Talk
Sam Miller reports on Scott Boras’s talk at the 2011 SABR Convention.
Out of Jail Agent
Sports Agent Blog notes that Gus Dominguez, convicted of illegally assisting five baseball players cross the border into the United States, is representing players once again.