Boras dishes on Soto, Alonso, others in pun-filled presser
Agent Scott Boras gave his first presser of the offseason during MLB's GM meetings Wednesday.
Boras, as always, represents several of the biggest free agents available, including Juan Soto, Alex Bregman, and Pete Alonso. However, he enters this offseason under some pressure after letting negotiations drag into spring training last year for Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.
Here are key points from Boras' press conference:
A pulse check on Soto's priorities:
Juan Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, said Soto is prioritizing any team owner who is committed to “winning.” With the right amount of $$$, of course
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) November 6, 2024
Boras referred to team owners as "championship magicians" and said that behind "every great magician obviously is the magic Juan," according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.
On Alonso being the cream of the first basemen crop:
Boras was asked about Alonso: “There’s been a lot of talk about this being a Bear market for first basemen, but for Pete”s sake it’s the Polar opposite.”
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) November 6, 2024
What does Bregman bring to the table?
Scott Boras said Alex Bregman provides “an infusion of championship blood”
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) November 6, 2024
“He’s AB positive.”
Boras also said Bregman will soon resume hitting after having a bone spur removed from his elbow that was bothering him over the final month of the season, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle.
Can the Orioles afford to keep Corbin Burnes?
Does Scott Boras think #Orioles can spend for Corbin Burnes?
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) November 6, 2024
“Mike has told me that Baltimore is in a position to be highly competitive, and we’re gonna meet on a number of players. So I definitely think they have an attitude to pursue levels of acquiring some great players.” https://t.co/1NhgAUjELB
Has the market come to appreciate Snell?
Scott Boras on if he anticipates Blake Snell will have a different free agency experience this year: “There’s no doubt the Snelling salts created a lot of whiffs. And the market has definitely awakened.”
— Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) November 6, 2024
Snell wound up landing a deal with the San Francisco Giants in late March after winning the 2023 NL Cy Young. The lefty opted out of that contract to test free agency once again.
Gauging the level of interest in Sean Manaea:
Sean Manaea has a “very vast” market right now, according to Boras.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) November 6, 2024
How in demand is Yusei Kikuchi?
Regarding Yusei Kikuchi's free agency, Scott Boras said "without having a qualifying offer, you see a whole menu of teams that would not normally be participating for a starter at that level. For that reason, he's one of the most sought-after players in free agency."
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) November 6, 2024
Kikuchi was ineligible to receive a qualifying offer from the Houston Astros because he was acquired midseason.
On potential changes to MLB's playoff format:
Scott Boras would like to see the best-of-five Division Series become a best-of seven series just like the LCS and World Series pic.twitter.com/bYHOtia5BI
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 6, 2024