As the June 5 amateur baseball draft approaches, agent Scott Boras reminded ESPN.com users that any draft pick is a calculated risk for any team willing to gamble on a young player.
Boras slipped into an ESPN.com chat room to tackle user questions and talked about representing young players and what it takes to get them signed to their first pro contract. This year, he is the advisor to potential first-round picks such as Xavier Nady of Cal, Jason Young of Stanford, Dane Sardinha of Pepperdine and David Espinosa of Gulliver Prep High School in Miami.
If you missed Boras' May 31 chat, an edited transcript follows:
|
BORAS' FILE
|
|
Boras is widely regarded as one of the most influential agents, although not the most liked, in all of baseball. He brokered the $105 million deal Kevin Brown signed with the Dodgers and Greg Maddux's $57.5 million contract with the Braves. He recorded 15 arbitration victories on behalf of MLB players in the '90s alone and has represented 38 first-round draft picks in the past 10 years. Boras negotiated the largest contract in baseball history for an amateur free agent (Matt White, $10.2 million) and the largest draft signing ever, a four-year major league contract worth $8.5 million for Florida State standout J.D. Drew. Boras drew intense criticism for his handling of Drew's contract in 1997, turning down the Phillies' offer of $6 million. Drew played in the independent Northern League before re-entering the Draft in 1998 and eventually signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Boras' days as a player included minor league stints with the St. Louis Cardinals organization (1974-77) and the Chicago Cubs franchise (1977-78). He studied at University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and practiced law as a medical litigator prior to representing baseball players.
|
Frank: Many GMs now believe that high-level draft picks are significantly overpaid in relation to the risk
involved. What is your opinion on this based on the high failure rate of baseball draft picks?
Scott Boras: When you look at the draft on the whole, you're talking about a risk venture. Yes, not all first-rounders will make the majors and only a few of them will turn into stars. But I can only speak for the players we've represented and our success rate is very high. The average major league career lasts less than three seasons but 90 percent of our first-rounders have played at least three years and our average is over six years. Going back to guys like Kevin Brown, Andy Benes, Tim Belcher, Steve Avery and Kurt Stillwell -- some of our early clients -- we've produced many quality major leaguers. And spending money on players like them is going to be a more efficient business move than signing a free agent.
John: What is the status of your client Bobby Hill, will he be re-entering the draft?
Scott Boras:
Yes, he will be re-entering the draft. He's playing in the Atlantic League with Newark right
now and playing very well at shortstop. We expect him to be drafted high in this draft and playing pro ball soon.
Kelly: Can you say anything about where A-Rod might go at the end of the year?
Scott Boras:
Well, obviously, he's having an MVP-type year. His team will be a strong contender for the pennant and he's happy
right now. I learned with Kevin Brown's contract that you let the market define itself, not set it, so I can't comment on what kind of contract Alex will get. I will say that he'll have a lot of
elements in his new contract that haven't been in a major league contract before. There will be an
evalulation of the market and then we'll see what teams will be interested.
Bravesman: Do you think that the Braves will be able to keep your clients Greg Maddux and Andruw Jones?
Do you think we could see Andruw there for a while?
Scott Boras:
We think Andruw will be a major part of the team for years to come -- along with Kevin Millwood,
another one of our clients. He's had two great years and is pitching well again, though he hasn't gotten great run support. Andruw is having a breakout year with his power and efficiency at the plate. His plate coverage has improved and he's a Gold Glove center fielder.
I'm in Atlanta today, as a matter of fact. I normally see my clients three or four times in person during the season and
speak to them during the season as needed.
Pedro: How does your operation work?
Scott Boras:
We have a staff of about 25 people. We have a computer engineer who runs our database. We
have 10 former baseball players who live in the U.S. and do the player development side of our
operation, both scouting and seeing players in the field and talking to them. Former major leaguer Mike Fischlin heads that department and Jeff
Musselman, who pitched for Toronto, heads the administrative office.
One thing that makes our operation unique is that we have a 120-year statistical database, designed to pull up data as needed. We use it for player studies,
arbitration cases and historical salary information.
|
THE BORAS LINEUP
|
|
Some of Scott Boras' top clients:
Rick Ankiel
Jay Bell
Andy Benes
Kevin Brown
Johnny Damon
J.D. Drew
Alex Fernandez
Andruw Jones
Greg Maddux
Alex Rodriguez
Bernie Williams
|
Rumi547: Will this be the first year that signing bonuses actually fall? Is that due to a lack of talent, or is
that due to concerted effort by the teams to do so?
Scott Boras:
In Rick Ankiel's draft a couple years ago, this subject was brought up. At that time, we asked for a premium bonus for Rick because we thought he was a premium player -- and he eventually
got it from the Cardinals.
If teams let premium talent drift to clubs willing to pay the money, then some other club will take advantage
of that. It's not any secret that Rick Ankiel and J.D. Drew are a reason St. Louis is in first place and they got those players because other teams didn't want to pay the price.
Teams may not want to pay for amateur players, but they would have to pay MORE for free agents at the level of an Ankiel or Drew. Essentially, it's an inefficient practice to turn away
from good talent like Ankiel's.
Reddog47: What do you think of possible "collusion" to hold down draft bonuses?
Scott Boras:
If teams are talking among themselves, that is allowed because there is no collective bargaining agreement at
the amateur level. I contend that if teams do that, however, they will suffer. Remember, GMs have 3- or 4-year contracts. The owner wants to win now. So, people have to make decisions that help the team now -- and that means taking calculated risks. The draft is part of that, but good teams take calculated risks based on good assessment and smart analysis.
Debbie: Have you spoken to Alex Fernandez lately about his arm?
Scott Boras:
Alex is on the DL right now and recently saw Dr. James Andrews. Andrews recommneds he takes a 3 weeks or a month of rest for now and then re-evaluate his progress.
PJ332: Given the large amount of first-rate free agents hitting the market this off season do you think that
most of them will get less then they might be expecting?
Scott Boras: Most of these premium players are on premium teams, thus if a player signs with a new team that will leave a hole on his old team. With players at this level -- clients we have like Robb Nen or Charles
Johnson -- we're not worried about them finding a team. Players who can play will be pursued.
Starting ptichers are always going to be in great need. So many teams need a closer. There aren't
many catchers like Johnson who can hit 20 home runs and throw out runners. So when you look at
the available group of players, you go through and say, "Those guys are going to be coveted
players."
Tom: How do you respond to comments made that the greedy agents are to blame for the overpaid
players and the decline of the family oriented fans at the ballparks due to rising ticket prices?
Scott Boras: There has been absolutely no relationship between ticket prices and player salaries -- it's simply not a credible barometer as to what major league teams are doing.
Salaries are what the market demands -- that's true of any product. If there is a demand, a
player will get paid. You don't hear the Dodgers complaining about Kevin Brown's contract
because they understand his value to the franchise. I remember when I was chastised for signing
Greg Maddux to a "greedy" contract in 1993, but that certainly turned out to be a terrific deal for the Braves.
Hunter Altman: What was it like to bargain with Steinbrenner, Cashman and the likes and make a record contract
in Yankee history for Bernie Williams after the '98 season?
Scott Boras; I've negotiated three or four contracts with George. He's knowledgable, prepared and I've had nothing but
good dealings with him. It took him a while in that negotation to make some decisions, but I have a good relationship with him.
Chris: Do you feel some players who are or will soon become free agents express a desire to play in big
markets like New York, regardless of their true desires to play there, as leverage in negotiating
with other teams for an increased salary?
Scott Boras: In the markeplace, you're looking at a player who usually has family concerns first, looking for a place to win second, and economic concerns third on his list.
Now, there are some players who have won, and may want to play in their hometown -- like
Terry Steinbach did when he left Oakland for Minnesota. But most players are seeking the best situation for their family and their ability to play for a winning team.
Clint: I have to ask... Do you know Jerry Maguire?
Scott Boras: Actually, I did meet Tom Cruise at Dodger Stadium about four weeks ago. He was there watching the game with a Dodger hat on and appeared to be having a good time. Our offices are in Los Angeles and I've been asked to represent clients in the entertainment field, but baseball is our business.
jeasthop: Obviously, the players are not to blame for rising salaries, but neither are the owners. What, if
any, action do you see your clients taking to ensure that the game (ours and theirs) does not get
ruined by a labor stoppage?
Scott Boras: The baseball industry is doing very well right now, so it is certainly in the best interests for the industry and my clients to keep our business running as smoothly as possible.
ArodlovesNY: What do you think of all the hype made about small markets not having a chance to compete because of rising player salaries?
Scott Boras: Owners don't look at their own successes or failures in the industry. We don't hear anyone critiquing the franchises on how well they're run -- maximizing revenue streams, the ability to attract fans, making the correct personnel decisions. Seventy-one teams passed on Rick Ankiel before he was drafted. What does that tell you about decision-making going on? How many teams would like to have one of the best young left-handers in baseball right now?
Here's one way to look at this. Baltimore, Cleveland and Atlanta are not big markets. They're not New York or Chicago. Yet they've been three of the most successful franchises during the '90s. Why? Because they made good management decisions in the early '90s. Teams like Minnesota, Oakland and Kansas City were in much better shape 10 years ago but didn't make good decisions at the time.
Look at the White Sox. They play in a big market but have been unable to maximize revenues due to some bad decisions made early in the decade. It's something that we should look at more often. We give teams opportunities to make themselves better, but they don't always take advantage of those opportunties.
Robert: What are your feelings about some of the high-pitch games Ankiel has had this season?
Scott Boras: Yesterday, he threw 92 pitchers. Our agreement with St. Louis when he signed was that until he turned 22 he would be closely monitored and kept on a strict pitch count at about 100 pitches. I'll let you know that we have contacted them after a couple games this season with our concerns.
Now, it's not specifically in the contract -- you can't put usage controls in there -- but it was an agreement we had made with the Cardinals.
AUSTIN316: Boras is responsible for the downfall of baseball.
Scott Boras: First of all, I would not take credit for the advances of the industry. On the other hand, we're on our way to becoming a $3 billion industry. Franchise values are going up. Network contracts are going up, with the likes of Sunday Night Baseball becoming hugely popular. Attendance
is up and the amount of revenues owners are gaining from new stadiums is going up. The new
stadiums are better for fans. And we are still an industry that gives away a lot of seats to community groups and kids groups.
But, it is a business. Remember that I'm a former baseball player. I want major league baseball to be the best product possible.
Andy in Texas: Scott, do you give your athletes any information or guidance in reference to getting involved in
good off-field activities and staying away from bad things (drunk driving, drugs, etc.)? It seems like your clients all have pretty good images.
Scott Boras: A major part of our practice is to let our players know the best ways to achieve their goals and maximize their abilities. This includes all sorts of guidance, from conditioning to nutrition. There is a whole element of counseling we go through. We deal a lot with performance issues and the ups and downs the game gives you. That's another reason we hire former players to work for us.
Corey: Why don't you try and get pay-for-performance type contracts for your players. That will guarantee an increase in performance of the individual and the teams throughout baseball.
Scott Boras: With veteran players, you can expect a certain level of performance. But baseball is different from other sports. You have to prove yourself before you get paid. You have to play four or five years in the minors to reach the major leagues. You have to play for three years at essentially non-negotiable salaries before you become eligible for arbitration. And then you have to play three more years before becoming eligible for free agency. So it is a very special athlete who can play six years in the major leagues before even getting to free agency.
Jason: What are some strange clauses you have seen put in contracts?
Scott Boras: I once had a clause determined by a flip of the coin. The contract was nearly done and there was one final disagreement. The player looked the GM in the eye and said, "If you have any guts, you'll flip for it." The player won the clause -- and it ended up being a $100,000 incentive bonus as well.
Scott Boras: Thanks for all the questions, everyone. Sorry I couldn't get to more. | |
ALSO SEE
Major League Baseball chat room
Stark: Abolish the draft
 |
