Talk about the market’s top free agent, Max Scherzer, has been scarce to this point, but agent Scott Boras tells Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that he’s not worried about the quiet air surrounding his client. “Premium free agents are rarely talked about at the GM meetings,” Boras said. “This is an owners’ decision. Every GM wants him. There’s always a place for him on every team. The issue is not whether the player is wanted. The issue is whether the owner will make the commitment to try to win the World Series.” Heyman’s piece contains many examples of the litany of stats Boras will use when pitching Scherzer to owners around the league. The Tigers are said to love Scherzer, but indications at this time are that they’re out on Scherzer. That, of course, could change as the offseason progresses, though one Tigers source told Heyman that Boras’ counteroffer to the team’s six-year, $144MM extension offer was “way, way” north of that sizable $144MM sum.
A few more notes on some free agents…
- While many top free agents take their time to see how the market plays out, a source tells MassLive.com’s Jason Mastrodonato that Jon Lester is willing to sign as soon as the right offer presents itself, “whether it is tomorrow or April 1.” While the Red Sox are known to have a preference to shy away from commitments of four-plus years to pitchers in their 30s (following their five-year deal for John Lackey), GM Ben Cherington implied that the team might be willing to make an exception for Lester, noting that it’s never been a hard policy.
- Andrew Miller’s agent, Mark Rodgers, tells ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick that he plans to be “methodical” in discussions with teams and doesn’t envision signing a contract in the near future. Miller is open to pitching in a setup capacity for a contending team with an entrenched closer, but he’s also generating interest from teams in need of a closer.
- The Twins prefer to add a right-handed bat to their outfield this offseason, and while Torii Hunter has been listed in connection to Minnesota, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweets that Alex Rios is another name to watch.
So by being “methodical”, Andrew Miller’s agent is going to pull the whole Scott Boras’ “mystery team” bit? Boras should have that phrase copyrighted by now.
Oh Scott you never change.
Why should he change. He’s one of the most lucrative agents in all sports. It’s not his fault teams are thirsty to sign his clients.
“The issue is not whether the player is wanted. The issue is whether the owner will make the commitment to try to win the World Series.” That statement could hold water if scherzer had a ws ring.
I think what the average reader is not understanding is that statement was made SPECIFICALLY to the Tigers Owner (Mike Ilitch).
Tigers fans have seen this before with Pudge, Magglio and Prince Fielder. Boras is trying to bi-pass Dombrowski and appeal directly to the owner. It does not matter what a MLB TR reader thinks. What matters is what Ilitch thinks.
I understand that’s what he’s doing. I’m still sticking with what I said. If you’re going to overhype your clients use more accurate statements.
The point is that Boras is stating to Ilitch to NOT give up (5 Playoffs, 0 WS Titles for the Tigers in this run)… by not pursuing Scherzer, he is giving up.
It is not a general statement to all Owners (though it appears that way). It is a specific statement to Ilitch.
We’ll see how well that works. Yes, Ilitch does have a lot of sway in what DD does, but he also trusts DD to do his job, and gives him the payroll from which he works. I am sure they know exactly their price point on Max, or if they will even try to resign him. I do agree, it is a very thinly veiled comment directly to Ilitch. Despite the Tigers not winning a WS, there is no owner more committed to winning a WS than Mike Ilitch.
I’m not sure exactly how much influence Mr. Boras has on the Tigers owner since just last year Mr. Dombrowski had to work overtime to get the Tigers out of the Fielder contract that Mr. Boras convinced Mr. Ilitch was going to win the Tigers a WS.
Ha! Boras is speaking like a true salesman here…The more realistic closing statement would be something like, “The issue is whether the owner will make the commitment to regret the three final years of my client’s contract, and simultaneously commit to handicapping his franchise for years to come.”
Scherzer’s lack of a World Series ring has nothing to do with the fact that he unquestionably puts a team in a better position to win a World Series. Boras’ statements are always fun to pick at, but this one he made wasn’t really outlandish.
It wouldn’t be the offseason if Scott Boras didn’t make statements such as that. I’m going to miss him when he retires.
There are no guarantees in life, and surely none in MLB. Kershaw is a better pitcher than Scherzer, and look what happened to him in the playoffs.
Boras was also quoted as saying Max had and arm like a 24-25 year old.
Wasn’t outlandish?!?!?!?!? You might want to re-read his statement. He’s pretty saying that have this ONE player, will get you to the ws. It takes more than one player to win or even make it to the ws.
I wonder if Friedman will pursue a lefty in the pen. He has JP Howell and Paco but Howell can decline his option in ’16 if he pitches in 52 games next year. Last year Ned and the Dodger FO didn’t have much faith in Paco. I’d like to see LA sign Miller and another high upside/velocity bullpen arms like Hochevar or even Morrow. I don’t picture Morrow and Hochevar getting multiple seasons offers from teams this off-season with all the bullpen pieces available.
So the Dodgers are going to spend another 10 million on their bullpen?!
It was their biggest hole last year. They have no problem giving League 7.5 mil and Wilson 10 mil. It would seem illogical to stay away from free agency this year when there are so many good options available.
Yes, but this isn’t smart spending. You can hopefully expect Wilson to rebound next year, and League isn’t horrible, I guess. I just don’t see why they would blow their budget on relief pitchers all on one guy. Better off going after Neshek and a few cheaper options (wether they’d be minor league deals or not), as you’re bound to strike gold with one of those cheaper pitchers IMO. And one thing’s for sure, Friedman is good at building a bullpen at a low cost.
In this game of “musical chairs” Scherzer may not have a chair. Most teams want to win a World Series. But few teams want to pay a 38 year old arm $25MM+ 7 years from now.
Boras’s “commitment line” is specifically geared at Mike Ilitch (Tigers owners). Dombrowski (Tigers GM) could do an end around and just try to sign Lester and gain several benefits:
1. Lester would probably sign for very close to what Scherzer rejected.
2. Lester is lefty… even if the two pitchers are equal, lefties have a better chance to extend their playing lifespan into their 30s, making the downside contract risk reasonable. (Scherzer is probably a better sign than Lester at the same dollars, but they are close).
3. Tigers would get BOTH the top draft pick (sandwich pick) and the top Free Agent by trying to sign Lester.
4. Dombrowski may still be upset with Boras about how the negotiations went last year. He had a rare flash of negative public emotion. Getting Lester would be a bit of a revenge opportunity for him.
The Tigers do not have the cash to sign Lester. Scherzer’s money was spent on David Price. Though Ilitch does tend to kick out extra to keep his players, if Scherzer goes elsewhere, that money will not be spent. Even if they sign him, they would probably have to get rid of payroll afterward, and they still need a DH, CF, RF and bullpen help. Let him go and enjoy the sandwich pick!
Price is only under contract for 2015. It is a $19MM commitment v. the $144MM rejected by Scherzer. They cannot afford Price AND Scherzer. But they can afford Price OR Scherzer long term.
The decision is an easy one then. Keep and extend Price over Scherzer.
Except that they could have both for one year if they play their cards right.
Are You Buying?
Depends on who they sign and how much my 1/2 season tickets (which I split with 4 others) for the Tigers will go up. So my answer is “not sure”.
True, but then they are stuck with Max and not Price, who as a Lefty would be the better choice. Getting the QO pick for Max just sweetens the deal to be made with Price.
Bringing in Scherzer (or any top-tier pitching talent) doesn’t guarantee a WS–we just saw that in this past season with Oakland. But there’s nothing like the start of the free agent season to remind one of Scott Boras’ immense talents for language. Or of the close relationship between him and Jon Heyman. Here, I thought they’d be concentrating on finding a lucrative multi-year deal for Stephen Drew. At the ownership level, of course.
Tanaka got 7/155, Scherz’s ext offer was 6/144, I can see both Scherz and Lester signing deals around that 150 range. I think Lester will sign first then it will be February and Scherz will get realistic.
Is it just me, or does it seem like this free agency season has gotten off to a slow start?
It usually doesn’t really get going until the winter meetings. I also think there are now enough “bad contracts” out there that GMs are more worried about getting burned on a loooong contract. That means the top FAs will take longer to sign, which means it takes longer for the market price to get set.
Excellent point. I’m seeing that as well.
A few large market clubs can give out 5 elite contracts knowing that 2 of them are going to crap out, but they can live with that. But even a large spending team like the Tigers is realizing that there is a limit to spending. As they say, is not ow much you spend, it’s how you spend.
Tigers need to make a move for Carlos Gonzalez. A power speed guy that hits LH and can play the OF well to hit in the #2 hole before Miggy and VMart. Yes, he has injury problems, but he’s only 30, a proven LH power bat, and could play either RF or CF for us, two major holes we need to fill. Tigers paid Torii Hunter 14MM last season, CarGo makes 16MM and 17MM the next two seasons so he would essentially replace Torii. I like Torii but CarGo’s a clear upgrade when healthy.
Rockies have 2 min salary OFs that are producing and need everyday roles next year in Dickerson and Blackmon. They could use the salary space to go after a big time pitcher, which is what they really need. They might even be interested in Porcello as the return, since he’s a big time groundball pitcher, took a big step forward last year, and is still very young. Makes sense for both clubs.
Cargo for Porcello C’mon now. Cargo for Kinsler the Rockies may consider. Dombroski getting Kinsler for Prince was an excellent trade for Tigers
Why would Detroit trade a 25yr. old quality #3 pitcher entering his prime for an injury prone OF who is overpaid. He is owed $16mm,$17mm, and $20mm the next 3 years.They can sign Melky Cabrera for 4 years at close to what Car Go would cost for 2 plus the trade chip. They could get Byrd for 2/16mm and not give up anything like Porcello.
Kinsler showed in the 2nd half why Texas was willing to let him go.