Scott Boras vs. Billionaires: Can Agent Break Shohei Ohtani Record, Outsmart Yankees, and Strong-Arm Mets?

Get ready for a baseball free-agency battle royale, folks! Super-agent Scott Boras might be feeling a little bruised lately. Nez Balelo just snatched the record for the biggest player contract with Shohei Ohtani’s monster deal before this year even began. That’s got to sting, and according to former Miami Marlins President David Samson, Boras is out for blood.

The key players here? Juan Soto, Scott Boras’ golden ticket to reclaim his record-breaking crown, and maybe even Pete Alonso, whose loyalty to the New York Mets could be hanging by a thread.

On a recent Foul Territory segment, Samson lays it down: “The union has the Ohtani deal at, let’s say, 460 (million). We know he (Soto) already turned down 440 from the Nationals… I think Soto is going to test the market.

Samson’s take? The New York Yankees might have the cash, but not the appetite for an Ohtani-outbidding war. Plus, with their already bloated payroll, it wouldn’t be a “smart” move.

The real wildcard? Scott Boras, whom Samson describes as “butt hurt” and desperate to make Soto his ticket back to the record books, says, “He is going to hold out to beat the Nationals deal and to beat the present value of Ohtani.”

Now, let’s shift gears to Alonso. The Mets first baseman might profess his love for the team, but Boras isn’t known for sentimental attachments. Samson cuts deep: “If you want to stay with a team… wanna be a lifer… you don’t have Boras as your agent.” Ouch!

Scott Boras’ Revenge: The battle for baseball’s biggest contract

Boras is the undisputed king of getting his players top dollar. It’s his bread and butter. This isn’t a knock on him; it’s just the way he operates. His relentless pursuit of record-breaking contracts means that loyalty to a specific franchise often takes a back seat. If another team is willing to write a bigger check, Boras clients will usually take it.

Does that mean Alonso is destined to leave the Mets? Not necessarily. But it does add a layer of uncertainty to the situation. The Mets, with their massive payroll, know they can’t afford to overpay everyone. Steve Cohen, despite his deep pockets, will need to make some tough financial decisions.

This puts the Polar Bear in a fascinating position. He’s a fan favorite and a power-hitting force in the lineup. But with the Queens already on the hook for huge contracts with players like Francisco Lindor and Starling Marte, will they be willing (or even able) to shell out another record-breaking deal to keep Alonso in blue and orange? If there’s a team out there with a burning hole at first base and a checkbook to match Scott Boras’ ambition, this could get very interesting.

The battle lines are drawn, and this free agency season is shaping up to be an absolute blockbuster. Boras, fueled by a desire to reclaim his record-breaking status, holds Juan Soto’s fate in his hands. Soto could become the highest-paid player in baseball history, but that might hinge on the Yankees’ willingness to get into a bidding war. Meanwhile, Mets fans are holding their breath as Pete Alonso’s future hangs in the balance. Will loyalty or a mammoth contract win out? It all depends on whether Boras can find a team willing to shatter all expectations.