Has Scott Boras Overplayed His Hand? Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery’s Fortunes Uncertain as Long-Term Deals Doubtful

Sometimes the poker game becomes so exciting that one forgets to stop bluffing. That’s when the player loses control and ends up overplaying a hand. Something similar has happened with the master of negotiation, Scott Boras. The super agent was so busy playing 4D chess that he may have taken the game to a place he can’t control. That can be seen with the sudden short-term deals for his clients. But this isn’t poker; there’s a second chance here—could he succeed with Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery? 

Every eye is centered on these two pitchers now. After months of deliberations, the positional players have signed a deal much smaller than expected. Snell and Montgomery are in a similar situation; their primary suitors are seemingly out, and others are adamant in their demands. So it’s only fair for one to ask: Does Boras have any cards left up his sleeves?

Scott Boras finds himself in an unprecedented situation

Until this offseason, Scott Boras was perhaps the biggest mastermind—the negotiation wizard. However, things have taken a sharp turn for him. Though calls of him losing his touch have been present ever since the early 2000s, Boras has always proved them wrong. But this offseason is a little bit tricky, even for the magician. That’s a worrying sign for his clients. Especially because even a short-term solution seems difficult for Snell.

Boras’ confident approach has gradually spiraled into a desperate attempt to get his clients a big deal. If all else fails, he’s hoping to get them a deal filled with opt-outs so that he can try again some other time. Until now, he’s succeeded with Belli and Matt Chapman, but teams don’t want to give Snell the same treatment.

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, teams could be a little hesitant to sign Snell to a contract with an opt-out after the first year. Snell had rejected a qualifying offer from the San Diego Padres, so signing him would mean forfeiting at least one draft pick. Teams don’t want to take that big a loss for a deal that could very well be a one-year rental.

Read more: Is Blake Snell Destined for a Short-Term Deal? Matt Chapman Inks 3-Year Pact Following Cody Bellinger’s Cubs Compromise

On the other hand, Montgomery could still get a long-term deal. He reportedly has teams that are willing to give him that.

Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery could still get a big deal

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden shared that there are “multiple” teams that are ready to give a long-term deal to Monty. He also called it unlikely that Montgomery would agree to a short-term deal like Bellinger’s. Unlike Snell, signing Montgomery wouldn’t entail any draft pick forfeiture. As a result, he’s the one client that Boras can get a big deal for.

Read more: Jordan Montgomery Short-Term Pact Unlikely, as Rangers-Red Sox Battle Intensifies

So it looks like both Snell and Monty could get longer deals, albeit for different reasons. But until they have it, this is all just speculation. Scott Boras’ offseason hasn’t gone according to expectations till now. It’s the last hand; can Boras make it count?