Scott Boras Defends Blake Snell and Cody Bellinger Contracts, Blames Uncertain Market Amidst Underwhelming Off-Season

“We knew that going in,” Scott Boras said about his underperforming offseason. While the super agent had a strong group of clients entering free agency – he couldn’t get any of them a long-term deal (except for Jung-Hoo Lee). For a man of Boras’ reputation that is a huge setback. With many in the baseball circles calling this Boras’ “downfall,”  the superstar agent has decided to defend his performance during the Winter.

Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Jordan Montgomery, and Cody Bellinger were the stars that formed this season’s “Boras Four.” Each of them was predicted to sign a deal that was at least more than $150 million. But what happened? They signed deals collectively worth $221 million – $104 million less than Yoshinobu Yamamoto. With all of them signing short-term contracts, one wonders whether this risky business will bring success to these stars.

Scott Boras blames the stagnant market for his disappointing offseason

As the Los Angeles Dodgers were getting ready to play their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals Scott Boras stood in the Dodger Stadium talking to reporters. Los Angeles Times reports that Boras informed the media that he knew from the beginning that his clients had only two options. Either get high AAV for the short term or get low AAV for the long term.

“Blake Snell has $30 million a year for a couple of years to go out and just show durability,” Boras said. The agent then shared that Snell’s 2023 Cy Young winning season was partially ignored due to his below-average 2021 and 2022. The pitcher can correct that perception in the next few years claimed Boras.

Similarly, Boras’ reason for Bellinger’s short-term pact was his terrible 2021-22. As a result, a short-term deal with high AAV seemed obvious to the agent. Boras also reminded people that he negotiated the $113 million deal with Jung-Hoo Lee and the $125-million extension of Jose Altuve. 

Basically, per Boras, it was the team’s remaining inactive killed the market. “One billion dollars was removed from the ability to contract players,” said the superagent. This was about the 2023 offseason expenditure being almost $1 billion less than 2022. But that brings the question – will these short-term deals work out?

Super agent’s risky business might prove to be profitable for his clients

“Blake Snell doesn’t have to go out and win the Cy Young every year. He’s an extraordinary pitcher,” Boras said. This statement shows the belief that the agent has in his clients. For Snell, his short-term stay at the pitcher-friendly San Francisco Giants could prove to be fruitful.

On the other hand, Bellinger is returning to the Chicago Cubs. That environment has already proven to be quite fruitful for the former MVP. While Belli’s advanced stats were a little underwhelming last season, there’s still hope of him continuing to hit “Belli Bombs” across the ballpark. Montgomery and Chapman too look well set for a good season.

So while there can be doubts over Boras’ waning powers, one cannot deny that his clientele is second to none. Perhaps that’s why confidence is high in Boras despite the market troubling him this season.

Read more: Scott Boras’ Big 4 Officially Inked: Where Did the Contract Maestro Falter This Free Agency?