Boras: Young stars getting trapped, lowballed with 'snuff contracts'

Super agent Scott Boras has chimed in on a contract extension trend that has swept across MLB, one he doesn't think is good for players - especially young stars.

Boras believes that contracts - like ones that Alex Bregman, Eloy Jimenez, and Ronald Acuna signed over the last few weeks - belie players' value and won't allow them to test free agency until they're in their 30s, at which point they won't be able to get long-term deals.

"Great, young players are getting what I call 'snuff contracts,'" Boras told Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times. "And a snuff contract is that they’re trying to snuff out the market. They know the player is a great player, and he’s exhibited very little performance.

"So they’re coming to him at 20 and 21, and I’m going to snuff out your ability to move, to go anywhere, to do anything, and your value. And I’m going to pay you maybe 40 cents on the dollar to do it. What’s my risk?"

He called Acuna's eight-year, $100-million pact with the Atlanta Braves "the king of the snuff contracts," as the team will be able to control the 21-year-old through the 2028 season.

Boras, who was responsible for getting Bryce Harper, 26, a 13-year, $330-million deal in free agency, likened getting a big contract on the open market to having a good approach in the batter's box.

"This is like hitting," Boras said. "You can be a great hitter, but if you’re out in front of the changeup? But if you know the changeup is coming, you have the skill to whack it out of the ballpark. The idea is you better know your pitches."