Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts spoke to members of the media today, including Jesse Rogers of ESPN, and addressed the topic of free agent Cody Bellinger. “There has been some discussions but it hasn’t become a negotiation yet,” he said.
“We’re just waiting,” Ricketts said. “Waiting for whenever he and his agent are going to engage. It could be any time now or it could be a few weeks. We’ll see where it goes.” Ricketts continued: “Until they are ready to negotiate, there’s not much we can do. We just have to wait for when it gets serious before talking about what the end money amounts are.”
When asked if he had spoken with Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras, Ricketts said: “I don’t talk to Scott. One of his signature moves is to go talk to the owner. When you do that, you undermine the credibility of your GM. Inserting yourself into that negotiation, I don’t think that helps. I don’t talk to him.”
Boras disagreed with this framing of the relationship, saying that the Cubs called him about Bellinger last winter. “Free agency is about recruiting players,” Boras said. “It’s the normal owner’s signature move to be involved in the efforts of recruiting players and reaching out to me so I can convey to the player the ownership of the team covets them. That is the essence of free agency and it is a custom and practice for ownership to express commitment and involvement. When Cody was a free agent last year the Cubs engaged and were very aggressive in their pursuit. And their process is no different this year. So I am not clear as to what Tom is suggesting.”
Bellinger, 28, came into the offseason as one of the most exciting players available. He suffered through some rough injury-marred seasons in 2021 and 2022, ending up non-tendered by the Dodgers, but bounced back with the Cubs on a one-year deal. He hit 26 home runs last year and slashed .307/.356/.525 for a wRC+ of 134. He also stole 20 bases and provided solid defense in center field and at first base. Given his youth and previous MVP upside, he seemed like a strong candidate for a huge deal, with him and Boras reportedly looking for $200MM or more.
But there have also been factors working against that. One is the lack of belief in his bounceback campaign, with detractors pointing to his tepid Statcast data. His hard hit rate was only in the 10th percentile of qualified league hitters, with his average exit velocity 22nd and his barrel rate 27th. It’s possible that Bellinger chose to prioritize contact over power, as his 15.6% strikeout rate last year was a career low, but the lack of impact may be a concern regardless.
There’s also the prior two seasons to consider, as Bellinger hit a dismal .193/.256/.355 in that time. He required shoulder surgery after 2020 and it’s been suggested by some, including his agent, that he was never fully healthy in that time. Perhaps that’s true but it also could be playing a factor in the fact that he’s lingering on the market in the middle of February.
There are also external factors at play. Not all clubs in the league can plausibly be expected to give out the kind of deal Bellinger and Boras are looking for. Of the possible fits, some of those clubs are working with diminished spending capacity in relation to the ongoing saga surrounding Diamond Sports Group and the general loss of TV revenue from cord cutting. That’s also had domino effects, as the Padres were one of the clubs that had to cut costs, which led to them flipping Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the Yankees. The Yanks were seen as one of the best landing spots for Bellinger coming into the winter but they were able to address their outfield via trade instead.
Other clubs that once seemed like viable landing spots have also become less likely. The Giants were alongside the Yankees as a strong fit back in the fall, but they signed Jung Hoo Lee to be their everyday center fielder. The Blue Jays re-signed Kevin Kiermaier. The Angels are apparently cutting payroll and also added Aaron Hicks to their outfield mix. The Mariners acquired Luke Raley and Mitch Haniger while Atlanta got Jarred Kelenic.
That’s led to speculation that Bellinger may need to pivot to a short-term deal with an eye on returning to the open market when the conditions have changed. Ideally, he will have had another strong seasons and silenced some of the doubters. MLBTR’s Steve Adams recently explored that possibility and took a look at where Bellinger might find such a deal.
A return to the Cubs has arguably remained his best landing spot. The club addressed first base by acquiring Michael Busch but center field could still be open between Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki as the corner guys. Pete Crow-Armstrong is perhaps the club’s center fielder of the future but his first taste of the majors was a struggle and he also struck out in 29.7% of his Triple-A plate appearances last year. He’s considered a superlative defender and a threat on the bases, so he doesn’t need to hit a ton to be a viable regular, but there’s an argument to bringing back Bellinger and letting PCA earn his way into playing time. The club also doesn’t have a strict designated hitter so it’s theoretically possible for each of Bellinger, Happ, Suzuki and Crow-Armstrong to get regular playing time in the same lineup.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the Cubs will actually pull the trigger on a deal, but they should have the money to do it. “We’re right there at CBT (Competitive Balance Tax) levels,” Ricketts said today. “It’s kind of our natural place for us. That should be enough to win our division and be consistent every year.”
Roster Resource pegs the club’s CBT number at $208MM, almost $30MM below this year’s base threshold of $237MM. Based on the tenor of the comments from Ricketts, it seems they prefer to stay under that line. That still gives them the ability to make a notable deal, such as one for Bellinger, but the seeming low level of communication between the two sides suggests there hasn’t been too much urgency towards going down that path. It would also likely mean committing to a long-term deal, as any short-term discussions would surely lead to a higher AAV that would push them over the tax line, something Ricketts seemingly prefers not to do. Whether that’s brinkmanship or a genuine reflection of the club’s position remains to be seen, with Opening Day now just over a month away.
Jabronie23
He really doesn’t make that much sense for them anyway, contrary to what everyone says. Matt Chapman makes a lot more sense
acoss13
Depends on Chapman’s price tag. His glove plays but his bat cratered the past two seasons.
Not a casual MLB fan
Matt Chapman is not the answer, even on a short-term deal.
Seamaholic
This. Never really understood their supposed interest. But in any case, the apparent complete lack of interest in his services at his price in the rest of baseball could be read two ways. Either it’s a great piece of luck for the Cubs, or a crowd-sourced red flashing warning light to them.
avenger65
Seamaholic: With teams like the Giants and Yankees signing the OF they need, plus other teams like the Angels and cubs not willing to go over the CBT or cutting payroll, the great Bellinger may have overestimated his own worth. Him and his ego will probably end up signing a one or two year deal for much less than he thinks he’s worth.
LSH99
The Cubs’ interest is very easy to understand considering their current needs at CF, 1B, and in the lineup, just not at the price that Boras is supposedly asking. Hence where we are today.
grecoisu
The need is left handed power and the available positions are 3B, 1B, CF. Long term they want PCA in center if he can produce so that really is 1B,3B. Cody can play CF and 1B which makes him ideal. It’s lefty pop that’s the need.
Reynaldo
They have Wisdom at home to play 3B.
murphy8
Yeahhhh, that’s not happening
LSH99
If they’re playing Wisdom at 3B on a regular basis, they have a huge problem.
murphy8
Completely disagree as a Cubs fan btw
LSH99
They need 1) a CF, 2) a 1B, 3) more offense (preferably LH). He satisfies all three. How does he not make sense?
PCA is an enormous question mark at the plate, and they have three backups, at best, at 3B. It’s so bad that they’re trying to put Morel, who they don’t like at ANY position, there right now.
LSH99
Got confused with my commentary here, but their 1B situation isn’t really any better. Michael Busch will play somewhere, but he’s essentially a prospect. Last year would have been a total disaster at 1B without Bellinger. Mervis, Hosmer, and Mancini were all bad.
Lloyd Emerson
Just get it over with. Pay the man!
acoss13
Bellinger and Boras were probably putting up big price tag, that’s probably the hold up.
Lloyd Emerson
Boras seems to enjoy manipulating the media to get the owners to bid against themselves. I can only hope that they are finally getting wise and his strategery is starting to backfire.
StudWinfield
He’s not getting $200 million, at least guaranteed. If he had had 2 good years in a row then different story.
mlb fan
“2 good years”….When teams pay the type of money that Belli is seeking, it generally guarantees certainty of elite performance and Belli’s level of performance is anything but a guarantee.
Not a casual MLB fan
I think the Cubs should bring Bellinger back on a 4 or 5-year deal. The Cub players loved having Bellinger on the team, Bellinger appeared to really enjoy playing for the Cubs, and the fans love him. An 8-year, $200MM deal is too extensive given the Cubs’ younger players in the mix, the team’s future plans, and Bellinger’s two difficult seasons prior to 2023. However, after reading the full article on the ESPN website, I also wasn’t too thrilled with some of Tom Ricketts’ statements, and, contrary to what he suggested, it’s very possible that if the Cubs don’t sign Bellinger they’ll miss the postseason again this year. Bellinger is a versatile defender, the team needs a very good left-handed bat, and Bellinger has a very high baseball IQ.
The NL Central will be different this season, and in my opinion it can be won by just about any team in the division in 2024. As a result, I think Hoyer needs to be proactive and negotiate regarding acquiring Bellinger specifically.
The Cubs should focus on Bellinger and forget Matt Chapman if they want to seriously address the best player fit for the roster before the season starts.
As a side note, if the Cubs make the postseason in 2024 without adding Bellinger or another veteran position player, I’ll be the very first one to apologize here at MLBTR. ✅
avenger65
Caylir: Ricketts has said he doesn’t want to go over the luxury tax and signing Bellinger would do just that. Bellinger only intended to play for a team for one season, prove to the world how great a player he is, then move on to a contender who would beg him to sign for $200+m. I don’t think adding in his “baseball IQ” is going to persuade an owner to give him what he wants.
Dogbone
I honestly love this avenger. Boras has been unfortunately lead to believe that he sets the market. I think it’s well past time, that someone in ownership stands up to him.
Boras is good for players, but IMO Boras is not good for the fans or the game.
holycow16
I agree. They rocked the boat (time will tell if it was extremely beneficial) with Counsell.
They need to keep the recipe as much in tact as possible with the players…
The Voices
I would rather have a 23 year old Mike Trout on the roster.
User 2161944466
What did Willie Mays ever do to you?
Augusto Barojas
I sense a lot of hatred and disrespect for Babe Ruth. I would concede that Trout is a better fielder, but still. Ruth had a career WAR almost 100 higher than Trout, and could pitch. I just don’t see a compelling argument that Trout is better. You must hate players from the 1920’s.
Rsox
Bellinger to Denver on the Kris Bryant deal. Probably plays about the same amount of games as Bryant too
mark sharf
stupid
Seamaholic
Rox love Bellinger and always have. But no place to play him.
Rsox
Actually they were said to be looking for a LH hitting Outfielder all winter and with Bryant moving to 1B and Blackmon at DH they could find a spot in the OF
Enrico Pallazzo
Doesn’t seem like teams are willing to spend big for him and Boras/Bellinger aren’t blinking either. So I guess he will just have to watch this season from the couch like the rest of us.
Jump 84
Its gonna happen.
Jump 84
Again.
BlueSkies_LA
Ricketts is never going to sign Bellinger if he doesn’t clean up his grammar!
This one belongs to the Reds
I bet his grammar never taught him good grammar.
BlueSkies_LA
But he did invite his aunts to a picnic.
Heels On The Field
Whit Merrifield 2023:
vs. RHP .702 OPS
vs. LHP .692 OPS
2022:
vs RHP .658 OPS
vs LHP .711 OPS
35 years old
DonOsbourne
I don’t see why Boras felt the need to dispute Ricketts. His explanation was strange and didn’t directly address what Ricketts claimed. Boras seems pretty thin skinned.
acoss13
Boras did the same to the Dodgers and Andrew Friedman when Cody was having issues with his shoulder, Boras had to walk back his comments.
Simm
Yeah, I like what ricketts said about devaluing his gm by being involved himself. Though boras is also right that these big checks usually involve ownership.
This smelled of who will blink first.
At this rate it will be boras. Boras is will likely get creative to save face for his clients.
aragon
When an owner changes his principles and talks to Borass Rendon happens.
stymeedone
Yes the owner will be involved, but not before the GM. Bypassing the person who is in charge of team construction is never a good idea. It should be Boras talks to the GM, and when negotiations are close, the GM brings in the owner.
rondon
I kinda think that Ricketts making any public comments “undermines his GM”. The man is clueless. He just needs to let Hoyer handle it and write the damn check when he tells him to.
quonset point
One of the things I like about Ricketts is how available he is. He gets microphones shoved in his face all the time, and he answers. it’s not like he called a presser to make a statement here. He and Jed are on the same page.
CardsFan57
Ricketts was addressing the Boras demand to bypass the GM. That’s posturing on both sides. Boras saying I’m too important to bother with your GM. Ricketts replying no you’re not to important to speak to my GM. Ricketts responded correctly.
The Natural
Agree…Boras is a _________. Pick your term
avenger65
…very wealthy man?
cheugy
Boras seems desperate to be addressing that comment so aggressively. He’s failed before, he can read that writing in the wall. But he’s also an arrogant .
Simm
Certainly seems like he overpaid his hand. What he needed was a bidding war…instead he has alienated all the teams.
avenger65
Simm: More like, he waited too long. Other teams have filled out their outfields, effectively putting the screws on Bellinger and Boras.
BlueSkies_LA
It’s a game, and mistake to read too much into who plays it whatever way.
Hyatt Visa
Bore ASS!
RunDMC
Feels like a middle school dance all over again. Boras and his prize stand in a corner indifferent with anyone passing by, while Ricketts tries not to be caught staring from afar, working up the courage, waiting for the right song.
The Voices
PS Bellinger does not have any MLB youth left. He turns 29 during this season. He is not young by MLB standards anymore at all.
Homer_Heins
That’s interesting. Seems like he doesn’t have much of a market for a multi year deal.
Oldguy58
Boras knows that in a winnable division that without Bellinger the Cubs won’t win and take a major step backwards. I do find it interesting that Boras and Ricketts disagree on the approach of how it works. When Theo Epstein came to Chicago he said every season is important, Theo left early with a year on his contract because ownership forgot about that. Once the Cubs won the World Series the Cubs ownership mission changed from winning to attempting to buy all the real estate in the neighborhood.
The Natural
Ricketts has maintained for years that he stays out of it and let’s the GM handle the money portion. I have no doubt that Ricketts would in some way let the player know that ownership wants them aboard. But I believe Ricketts here, you cannot trust Boras at all.
avenger65
Old guy: Theo left because he knew the cubs were heading for a full rebuild and he didn’t want to start from the beginning again. I don’t think owners should go over their GMs head. Look at the disaster the White Sox became when Reinsdorf went over his GMs head and hired LaRussa.
User 4223176798
Snell and Webb provide a good 1-2 punch. Less pressure on Harrison as a #3 or #4 with Hicks in the mix. It’s clear that most of the Giants roster has no value. What do you get in trade for Davis, Wade, Yaz or Conforto? Or Winn, Beck? Find a way to sign Chapman. Giants need a bat or two to protect Soler otherwise he will never see a good pitch.
Big whiffa
The most regrettable move of the offseason will be Lee over Bellinger. He won’t get much more than Lee and he will out perform thrice over by the time the contracts are complete
Troy Percival's iPad
Bellinger is the only one of his 4 clients seeking elite money that has produced at an elite level more than twice.
Anyone with the money to sign him already has OFs and his entire profile is only elite if he’s primarily in CF
Salad Daze 22-27
Nonsense, Snell had 2 good years. Exactly 2 good years total over his career…
SupremeZeus
It appears there aren’t ANY suitors for Bellinger at his current asking price yrs/$. None. Zero. What Ricketts statement confirms is that the Cubs ARE interested in signing Bellinger … on their terms. No other GM/team owner has indicated this. I don’t think the classic Boras “Mystery Team” is going to work this time, no market. If he isn’t going to be able to get the dollars & years he wants for Bellinger it’s going to be all about the opt-out(S). Ricketts handled that well.
avenger65
SupremeZeus: When Bellinger has no options left and goes crawling back to the cubs with a low contract filled with incentives, I’m sure Bellinger will spin it into something like, ‘I never intended to leave the cubs. This is where I wanted to be all along. I would have paid them to play for them again.’
Dogbone
Seems like Boras might be needing 3 or 4 mystery teams this year LOL. Tough luck Scott. Maybe the days of Boras being able to set the market, are over.
And baseball is better without his ego.
wvsteve
Total conflict of interest at this point for Boras and his clients. Believe the league has grown tired of his antics
straightuphonestguy
I’m sure this is all boilerplate negotiation tactics, but I don’t understand why teams and Boras aren’t pushing for long-term deals that are frontloaded in terms of dollars and opt-outs. It makes more sense for Bellinger/Chapman than Snell/Montgomery, but the players would get 125% of the AAV (as an example) in years 1-2 while the team gets to suppress the CBT hit. Then, they can get another bite of the apple or fall back on the rest of the guaranteed money. Seems a win-win.
Seamaholic
There’s this thing called the time value of money …
carlos15
Which says to get the larger amount now instead of later, which is what he’s suggesting.
terry g
I’m not sure anyone wants to guarantee anything at he’s asking price and years. Last years rebound may not be enough to get what he wants.. A pillow contract is possible but I don’t see much of a market beyond one year unless he comes way down in price.
Bryzzo2016
A pillow contract would be an L for both Bellinger and Boras. The big spenders were spending this winter… or at least trying to. (LAD, CHC, NYY, SF, etc…) if he couldn’t get what he wanted in this market, nothing is gonna change next year.
The market tells you what you’re worth and they really don’t care if you (or your agent) don’t agree.
runningwithnailclippers
This is probabaly just my quirk/issue, but why do people call grown, adult men by nicknames when you personally do not know them? I hate when announcers use nicknames like Belli when a play involving said play is taking place on the field. Unless you are buddies/friends with that guy, it is just stupid to call them Belli, instead of Bellinger (for example),
Sid Bream Speed Demon
You do know that the team’s broadcasters spend a ton of time with them, right? Seems like a weird thing to whine about.
runningwithnailclippers
The announers are not their friends. I am sure they don’t hang around with the guys after the game to get a beer or whatnot. And I wasn’t whining. I was making a valid point. There is a difference. You are whining about someone whining when they were not whining.
runningwithnailclippers
Also, just a few years back, announcers would never call the players by nicknames except for a few players who were known for it. The announcers nicknames for players are usually just lazy, shortened version of the players’ name.
mlb fan
“You do know that the team’s”…..That is definitely a weird thing to complain about. It made me laugh that people can get bent out of shape over the smallest things. The fact of the matter is that the tradition of nicknames for baseball players(and other athletes too) goes back well over a 120 years.
Bobcastelliniscat
I agree. I also think it’s silly when grown ass men wear jerseys with the favorite player’s name on their back. It’s especially ridiculous when a 50 something man wears a jersey of a 20 something player.
Seamaholic
This. It should be humiliating for anyone over the age of about 15 to wear a jersey with a name not their own on it, unless they were under 15 when that guy played.
Manfred Rob's Earth Band
This reminds me of when people refer to their favorite team as us or our team when they aren’t on the team. It’s a matter of preference I suppose. Neither instance bothers me.
TotalitarianBaseball
I don’t mind Boras but all I saw in his comment was “We will sign wherever we get most money.”
runningwithnailclippers
That is his job to get his employer the most money, in this case, Bellinger. Also, it implies that Bellinger wants the most money, no matter the team.
Not a casual MLB fan
I’m not sure that’s true. Bellinger enjoyed being a Cub, and remaining a Cub may be his personal preference. It’s possible that at some point soon he’ll tell Boras to negotiate with the Cubs to see if a mutual agreement can be reached.
Seamaholic
Every player enjoyed being a member of every team they’ve ever been on. What possible reason would there be to say otherwise?
James Midway
If I’m the GM and Borras and the owner are talking without me I would be pretty upset too. At both of them.
cwsOverhaul
Indeed. If Boras still expects people to kiss the ring, he is going to have a lot of clubs going out of the way to screw him over when the opportunity arises.
Good example here for a good/not great player that just finished his season there. Both sides know each other. There is no wooing other than what are you looking for?, GM chuckles at absurd ask and enjoys countering way lower.
C Yards Jeff
Here’s hoping new Orioles owner Rubenstein has a tiny ego. IE. let your baseball people make the baseball decisions. Give the POBO a payroll budget then STAY AWAY. Please.
whyhayzee
When asked if he had spoken with Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras, Ricketts said: “I don’t talk to Scott. One of his signature moves is to go talk to the owner. When you do that, you undermine the credibility of your GM. Inserting yourself into that negotiation, I don’t think that helps. I don’t talk to him.”
Boras disagreed with this framing of the relationship, saying that the Cubs called him about Bellinger last winter. “Free agency is about recruiting players,” Boras said. “It’s the normal owner’s signature move to be involved in the efforts of recruiting players and reaching out to me so I can convey to the player the ownership of the team covets them. That is the essence of free agency and it is a custom and practice for ownership to express commitment and involvement. When Cody was a free agent last year the Cubs engaged and were very aggressive in their pursuit. And their process is no different this year. So I am not clear as to what Tom is suggesting.”
The use of the words “signature move” is somewhat comical.
Basically boys, shut up and get it done.
Bobcastelliniscat
It tells me the GM is not a Boras fan and if it was up to him he wouldn’t deal with Boras. He said a lot without saying much.
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
In other words, “I only like teams where the egomaniacal owner wants to make a fool of himself, like Arte Moreno.”
aragon
Stay away, way away!
LambchoP
I’d love to see an outfield with Buxton and Bellinger:)
spudchukar
Of the 4 Boras holdouts, I expect Montgomery to take a deal soon. Doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who will sit long. Still hoping the Red Birds can snag him, but who knows.
skullbreathe
By the hour it becomes more apparent Boras has screwed up Bellinger, Chapman, Montgomery and Snell’s FA contracts. A lot of one and done with opt out options for a lesser AAV’s or two-year contracts are coming. Not what any were likely promised when the World Series was done last November.. I’m not saying Boras hasn’t made a ton of money for his clients but this year the lifeboats are gone from the Titanic and he’s left with deck chairs for those four..
Bryzzo2016
This front office is too smart to panic and negotiate against themselves. They really don’t “need” Bellinger so if another team jumps in desperately pays the Boras ask, it’s not the end of the world.
PCA is ready to take over CF everyday. Busch is ready to step in at 1B everyday.
IF Chicago isn’t confident that Morel can be an everyday 3B, I’d argue Chapman would be a priority over Bellinger.
Yes, Belli makes the Cubs better but there are currently no bad contracts on this team, giving Belli anywhere near 200 mil would change that.
Stay the course Jed.
The Natural
Amen!!
ortsacnilrats
I know it’s minor but David Bote says hi. What an awful contract that was/is.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Good for Tom. Take that Boras! Standing by his GM is one classy move.
sfjackcoke
Players sign with Boras for one reason, THEY want max $$$, period, end of story. Boras simply misread this market, full stop. The player I think has the most worth to a large number of teams is Montgomery. Due to him pitching into the WS, he’s the perfect candidate to be slow played into 2024.
It’s believed he really wanted to go back to TX which doesn’t appear to be an option. Does Baltimore’s ownership change happen soon enough to get them involved, Montgomery has worked in the AL East before and the new park dimensions are likely a plus for him.
Does Detroit jump in on either of Bellinger or Montgomery albeit they’re a little behind Baltimore in turning their farm into MLB success and do a WAS Nats/Jayson Werth sort of deal with the ideal their farm is coming fast.
Boras’ strategy of waiting for teams to make offers and overbid against themselves has not worked for Snell. The early whisper demands were what teams viewed a real starting point for negotiations and they went elsewhere. End of the day Snell is a 5ip and whose late season run appeared to correlate with Gary Sanchez behind the plate. IMO he’s a ticking time bomb on whomever signs him.
The Natural
Boras’ stragedy of waiting of waiting for teams to make offers and bid against themselves has not worked for Snell or several other players. Period, end of story, full stop.
StudWinfield
I’d like to see the Yanks offer both Snell and Bellinger 3 yr, high AAV contracts with opt outs every year. Soto, Snell, Bellinger, Verdugo, Rizzo and Torres playing for new contracts would be one motivated group.
Seamaholic
Any contract they sign costs them 2x after taxes. You’re talking about $150m a year for those two guys.
Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
Sounds like Boras is trying to save face. Who will Boras overvalue and screw this time? Wouldn’t be the first time.
drasco036
“I dont talk to him” every GM and PBO ears perk up and now look at Hoyer with jealousy, an owner that doesn’t meddle in team affairs? What a delight!
The Cubs need Bellinger but they don’t need him as bad as Boras believes they do and they are not going to bend the knee. Cubs easily could roll the dice with what they have, it’s not the winning move but it’s having that card up your sleeve puts all the power in Hoyer corner. Come hither Scotty and grovel, beg and plead me to sign your guy so you can save face.
mason
I hope the Cubs can sign both Bellinger and Montgomery with Bellinger on a short term deal.
A top line pitcher and Joey Votto !
Go cubs
Mason Matschke
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
The owner has a POBO and a GM. Only desperate or maniacal owners override them and do their own negotiations.
Boras can go to hell.
Jiggs
Love the Boras comment, wish Hoyer would tell him the same.
Wren
discussion was likely the Cubs saying they wanted to talk 3 years and boreass saying we start at 10. click.
A Raul Cassanova
I just don’t trust a guy that’s struggled for a couple seasons, then puts it together in a contract year. But I m not a GM
AGS
I am hoping these teams wise up and don’t give in to Boras bullcrap
phils fan
The Phillies have one more big move in them . Watch them jump in and grab Cody or Montgomery . Just my opinion
RobM
Boras dragging negotiations out for so many players this long may come back to bite him in his butt. While the MLBPA doesn’t want a hard deadline, they might agree to one in return for something else, and Boras will lose one of his favorite negotiating tactics. It seems as if teams so far aren’t playing along. He’s not negotiating, and teams aren’t engaging.
My predictions, based on not too much:
Montgomery: Angels
Snell: Yankees
Chapman: Giants
Bellinger: Cubs
BTW Who is winning the free agent contest? It may not be over until July!
Salzilla
Man, what a weird situation that’s becoming. Players and fans want him back, owner won’t talk to the agent–he’s dead on btw, respect–and agent won’t start negotiating. I’d love to see a stat of how many players Boras has put into these situations. He gets some of them big money, but hurts their overall reputation. Why bother using him?
Another thing I hate seeing is citing of Statcast stats when making some of these decisions. I can put money down that the only thing GM’s use it for is an excuse. For as much as people think the classic pure stats are beneath them,the proof of what players do is still in that pudding.
Bellinger had a heck of a nice bounceback, has an MVP season in his back pocket, legit had a major injury that can throw you way off, and yet between Boras shenanigans and “advanced” stats every possibly interested team did their damnedest to fill that hole cheaper.
“Sorry, Scott, we’re all full here.”
Seriously I sometimes feel for his clients.
jaysfan77
Snell was offered 150 million from the Yankees it was reported. The Jays offered Chapman a long term deal last year, I’m sure at fair market value. This is all on Boras I’d say. He’s fallen in love with himself
foppert2
Hot on the heels of an owners meeting, the Mets, Giants and Cubs all state that players aren’t getting offered deals because of Boras. Surely I’m not the only one that thinks that’s a plan being actioned.
Manfred Rob's Earth Band
I’m not sure what you mean. But don’t call me Shirley…
BaseballGuy1
The Boras comments in this article are hilarious!!! ““Free agency is about recruiting players,” No, it is a two-way street. Player has to sell themselves via their agent to the club. Sorry Boras, it is and always has been a mutual affair.
InsertWittyName
At this stage Boras’ reputation for getting deals done is on the line.
He’s doesn’t seem to be enjoying it.
2zwudz
Stand your ground Jed. Bellinger is not worth what he is asking for! The fans need to look at who the real problem(s) are here. Its both Boris and Bellinger.
tenncub
We need Bellinger’s bat and we can make good use of his glove and versatility in the OF, 1B and DH, but only for a year or 2. Give him 2 years at $25-30M/yr with an opt out after the first year. By the end of year one, we should have a better idea on how Bush, PCA, Canario, etc. are going to work out.
Bruce wulff
3rd base should be priority unless bellinger can play there which I doubt. Whether morel, wisdom, mastrobuoni, they have the weakest at that position in the division if not the league. Morel will forever should be strictly DH.