MLB’s top free agents have same agent
HOUSTON – There might not be a soul who had more at stake in this World Series.
But he’s not swinging a bat, throwing a ball or even managing a game.
He instead was watching from his Southern California home, insisting there is no rooting interest for either team.
Super-agent Scott Boras represents the biggest stars in this World Series.
“I’ve had prominent players playing in the World Series before,” Boras tells USA TODAY Sports, “but nothing quite like this.”
The top position player eligible for free agency and in line for a payday over $250 million is third baseman Anthony Rendon.
He is represented by Boras. The best pitcher eligible for free agency, and will almost certainly be provided the richest contract for a pitcher in history, perhaps even earning more than Rendon, is Astros starter Gerrit Cole.
He is represented by Boras. Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals’ starting pitcher in Game 6, has an opt-out clause and can declare free agency.
He is represented by Boras. “I think we’re about to make Scott richer than he already is,” Rendon said.
Boras represents nine players on the 40-man roster on both teams, including AL Championship Series MVP Jose Altuve of the Astros and 21year-old sensation Juan Soto of the Nationals, and has had a major impact in these teams’ success.
And might have even a greater influence for their future.
If the Nationals are going to make a return trip to the World Series, they desperately could use Rendon. The Nats already made Rendon a seven-year offer for about $210 million before the playoffs.
Sorry, Boras enough.
The Nats desperately want Strasburg to stay and co-anchor the rotation with Max Scherzer, another Boras client. Strasburg has four years and $100 million remaining on his contract, with $40 million deferred without interest. They have three days after the World Series to extend or rework Strasburg’s contract, or he could opt out and test the free agent waters for the first time in his career.
“Stephen Strasburg has had an amazing season,” Boras says, “but he has yet to make that decision. I haven’t even talked to Stephen or (wife) Rachel about it. I haven’t even addressed it. When the season ends, we will sit down and talk and see what he wants to do.”
And if Strasburg doesn’t want to opt out now, he can change his mind a year from now, Boras reminds everyone, with another opt-out after 2020.
The Astros would love to keep their prized pitching corps together for another World Series run. Well, unless they are ready to shell out at least $240 million, and perhaps as much as $275 million, Cole will be taking his talents elsewhere. says, not good
So, yes, Boras is going to be quite a popular man this winter, with a stable of free agents whose postseason performances only enhanced their value.
Cole, who has lost only one start since May 22, continued his fabulous postseason run by dominating the Nats in Game 5 of the World Series with a threehit outing over seven innings. He went 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in the postseason and saved the Astros’ season with a brilliant Game 5 performance in the AL Division Series clincher against the Rays. He will finish first or second in Cy Young voting after going 20-5 with a 2.50 ERA and 326 strikeouts in 2121⁄3 innings during the regular season.
Rendon has put on a clinic in the postseason while being a human highlight reel in the field.
“Everybody is calling me and telling me what a great baseball player he is,” Boras said. “I saw him play his freshman year at Rice. I know he was going to be a great baseball player.
“Now, everybody is understanding this guy is an MVPtype player. He hits for average. He hits home runs. He’s a great baserunner. His defense is unbelievable. And his baseball IQ is off the charts.”
Strasburg went 18-6 with a 3.52 ERA and career-high 251 strikeouts during the regular season and had a 5-2 career postseason record and 1.34 ERA, with 64 strikeouts in 47 innings entering his scheduled start in World Series Game 6.
“To be dominant in the postseason, to win elimination games,” Boras says, “frankly, that greatness just adds to your résumé and makes you even more valuable.
“These guys that show they can do it, their pedigree is documented.”
In other words, their stock price is soaring through the roof.
Boras has a stranglehold on this year’s free agent market. He also represents starters HyunJin Ryu and Dallas Keuchel, infielder Mike Moustakas and outfielders Nick Castellanos and J.D. Martinez, if he opts out.
Still, while he might have no public rooting interest, Boras is more closely aligned with the Nats than any other team in baseball.
When the Nationals had the first draft pick in the country in back-to-back years, they selected Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper, each represented by Boras.
When Scherzer signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Nats and outfielder Jayson Werth was their first big free agent signing at $126 million in 2010, they were negotiated by Boras.
And when Harper rejected a 10-year, $300 million contract from the Nats, eventually signing for $330 million over 13 years with the Phillies, Boras pulled the strings.
Nats owner Ted Lerner’s relationship with Boras is legendary, and Boras and general manager Mike Rizzo are confidants.
“I’ve known Ted for a long time,” Boras says, “and Rizzo is a very, very adept baseball man and a great scout. He knows the character of players. He really gets it. And he’s not afraid to call us and ask about players in the draft.
“I still remember when they drafted Rendon. There were five teams that passed on him, and after they got him, I called Rizzo and said, ‘How did you just get the best pick in the draft?’ I couldn’t believe it.”
It was on Boras’ advice, he proudly says, why the Nationals were even able to land Strasburg and Harper with back-toback No. 1 picks in 2009 and 2010.
“I remember Ted was interested in signing Mark Teixeira (after the 2008 season), and I said, ‘You shouldn’t sign him,’ ” Boras said. “‘It doesn’t really work for him or you. It behooves you to do this slowly and not win so much. You want to take advantage of some unique players coming out in those drafts.’
“The Lerners looked at the big picture, it allowed them to build a core, and then signing Scherzer really developed some algorithms for Ted.”
It was no different than lending advice to the Astros when Jim Crane bought the franchise in 2011. “When Jim became owner,” Boras says, “he flew to my office, sat down and said, ‘I want to build this thing right.’ ”
Just one team holds the World Series trophy, but Boras will be walking away with the riches.