Boras: MLB teams choosing to 'regress' on payrolls

MLB agent Scott Boras took aim at teams choosing not to spend amid a slower-than-normal offseason.

"Clubs have plenty of money to spend," Boras told USA Today's Bob Nightengale. "But they're not spending in a matter that is customary to competitiveness. It's not that they don't have the ability to pay, but their choice (is) to regress on their payrolls."

Cody Bellinger, one of Boras' clients, inked a three-year, $80-million contract to return to the Chicago Cubs after many expected him to flirt with landing a $200-million deal in free agency.

Many Boras clients, including reigning NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell, J.D. Martinez, and Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman, remain unsigned with Opening Day less than a month away.

"When you have players like this who are available, they can dramatically impact the outcome and goals of teams," Boras said. "It's like the trade deadline in July. You can absolutely change the culture in the clubhouse by adding one of these players."

Boras added that he and his remaining unsigned clients are amenable to different possibilities and contracts in discussions with any interested clubs.

"We're open to all sorts of ideas, short term, long term, flex," Boras says. "I can tell you these players are not seeking anything beyond ... what the existing industry standards are."