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Scott Boras

{{Short description|American sports agent (born 1952)}}

{{Use American English|date=October 2017}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox person

| image = Scott Boras.png

| image_size =

| caption = Boras in 2019

| name = Scott Boras

| birth_name = Scott Dean Boras

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1952|11|2}}

| birth_place = Sacramento, California, U.S.

| education = University of the Pacific (PharmD, JD)

| employer = Boras Corporation (CEO)

| occupation = Sports agent

| nationality = American

| years_active = 1980–present

| website = {{URL|http://www.borascorp.com/}}

}}

Scott Dean Boras (born November 2, 1952) is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is the founder, owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach, California, that represents roughly 175 professional baseball clients.

Since 2013, Forbes magazine has named Boras the "Most Powerful Sports Agent in the World."{{cite news|url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbelzer/2014/11/04/the-worlds-most-powerful-sports-agents-2014/|author= Jason Belzer|title= The World's Most Powerful Sports Agents 2014|date=November 4, 2014|periodical= Forbes}} In 2019 and 2022, contracts signed by his clients totaled more than $1 billion in the month of December. In 2024, Boras negotiated the largest contract in sports history with the superstar of a player Juan Soto ($765 million). {{Cite web |date=2024-12-09 |title=Sources: Mets land Soto on 15-year, $765M deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42864917/sources-mets-land-juan-soto-15-year-765m-deal |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

Early life and playing career

Boras was born in Sacramento[https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/stats/p-393d322e Scott Boras minor league baseball statistics.] StatsCrew.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021. and grew up in Elk Grove, California,{{Cite news |last=McGrath |first=Ben |date=2007-10-22 |title=The Extortionist |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/10/29/the-extortionist|access-date=2025-04-17 |work=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}}{{Cite web |date=2007-10-08 |title=Scott Boras is the super sports agent |url=https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3608950 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} the son of a dairy farmer.{{cite news|url= https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3608950 |author= Matthew Cole |title= Who's In Charge Here? Scott Boras, for starters.|date=September 27, 2007 |periodical= ESPN The Magazine}} He attended the University of the Pacific and made the baseball team as a walk on. He led the team with a .312 batting average in 1972.{{cite web |url= http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/paci/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/BaseballRecordBook.pdf|title= Pacific Baseball Record Book |work=Pacific Tigers 2009 Baseball Media Guide}} As of 2009, Boras was in the top 10 in school history in multiple offensive categories. Boras was inducted into the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995,{{cite web |url= http://pacifictigers.cstv.com/hallfame/paci-hofalltime.html |title= Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame |work=University of the Pacific}} and the baseball team's annual "Most Improved Player" award is named in his honor.{{cite web|url= http://pacifictigers.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/paci-m-basebl-teamawards.html|title= Pacific Baseball – Team Awards|work= University of the Pacific}} Following his college career, Boras played four years of minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs organizations.{{cite web|url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=boras-001sco|title= Scott Boras Minor League Statistics & History |work= Baseball-Reference.com}} Boras made the Florida State League All-Star team in 1976,{{cite book|title= Official Baseball Guide 1977|year=1977|publisher= The Sporting News}} but knee problems shortened his career and he retired with a career batting average of .288. Boras received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific in 1977.{{cite news|url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1138685/3/index.htm|archive-url= https://archive.today/20100315164918/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1138685/3/index.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= March 15, 2010|author= Tom Verducci|title= Big Deals – For agents Scott Boras and Dennis Gilbert, baseball is a bonanza|date=June 14, 1993|periodical= Sports Illustrated; CNN}}

Following his playing career, Boras returned to the University of the Pacific, earning his Juris Doctor degree from the university's McGeorge School of Law in 1982.{{cite web|url = http://www.mcgeorge.edu/x4142.xml|title = McGeorge School of Law Alumni Profiles|work = McGeorge School of Law}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After law school, Boras worked as an associate in the pharmaceutical defense department of the Chicago firm Rooks, Pitts & Poust (now Dykema Gossett), defending drug companies against class-action lawsuits.{{cite news|url= https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/10/29/071029fa_fact_mcgrath|author= Ben McGrath|title= Sporting Scene: The Extortionist|date=October 29, 2007|magazine=The New Yorker}}

Boras Corporation

File:WER 4002 Scott Boras.jpg

Boras's start as an agent came representing Manny Trillo, a former major league second baseman for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and other teams, and Bill Caudill, a former minor league teammate and closer for the Seattle Mariners, both of whom now work for Boras.{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/13/sports/baseball-the-modern-master-in-the-art-of-the-deal.html|author= James C. McKinley, Jr.|title= The Modern Master In the Art Of the Deal|date= December 13, 2000|periodical= The New York Times}} By 1980, he had decided his calling was as a baseball agent.{{cite news|url= http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/sep2007/db20070925_706421.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071013180302/http://businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/sep2007/db20070925_706421.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= October 13, 2007|author= Matthew Cole|title= Power 100: Scott Boras – The über-agent uses data-mining to attract baseball talent|date=September 26, 2007|periodical= Bloomberg Businessweek}} In 1983, Boras negotiated one of the largest contracts in baseball history, $7.5 million for Caudill; and not long afterward, Boras left his law firm job to represent players full time.{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/sports/03iht-BORAS.1.8568182.html|author= Tyler Kepner|title= Agent to the superstars has soft spot for the 'common' player|date=December 3, 2007|periodical= The New York Times}}

Today, Boras is the president and owner of the Boras Corporation, a baseball-only sports agency.{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIVbL_hxXXw|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/EIVbL_hxXXw |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|author=Jon Erlichman|title= For the Record: Baseball on Downturn Times|date=August 21, 2009|periodical= Bloomberg Television}}{{cbignore}} In 2014, the Boras Corporation was named by Forbes magazine as the most valuable single-sport agency in the world.{{cite news|url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbelzer/2014/09/16/the-worlds-most-valuable-mlb-agencies-2014/|author= Jason Belzer|title= The World's Most Valuable MLB Agencies|date=September 16, 2014|periodical= Forbes}}

Boras and his company Boras Corporation have become known for record-setting contracts for their free agent and amateur draft clients.{{cite news|url= http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/63421|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130203072727/http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/63421|url-status= dead|archive-date= February 3, 2013|author= Liz Mullen|title= Boras' record-breaking rookie contract was long time coming|date=August 31, 2009|periodical= Sports Business Journal}} Boras was the first baseball agent to negotiate contracts in excess of $50 million: Greg Maddux, five years, $57.5 million in 1997;{{cite news|title= The Rich Gets Richest: Maddux to Stay a Brave; 5 Years, $57.5 Million Is Baseball's New Top Deal|date=August 11, 1997|newspaper= The Washington Post}} $100 million Kevin Brown, seven years, $105 million in 1998;{{cite news|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-dec-15-sp-54327-story.html|author= Ross Newhan|title= The Deal Makers |date=December 15, 1998 |periodical= Los Angeles Times}} and $200 million Alex Rodriguez, 10 years, $252 million in 2000.{{cite news |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-12-sp-64536-story.html |author= Jason Reid |title= Texas-Sized Deal |date=December 12, 2000 |periodical= Los Angeles Times}}

Boras has represented many of the elite players in each year's amateur draft and been a strong advocate for increasing player compensation. Boras' first record-setting contract for a drafted player was $150,000 for Tim Belcher in 1983.{{cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/id/105783/|author=Bryan Curtis|title=Scott Boras, Motherhood, and Apple Pie|date=May 9, 2001|periodical= Slate Magazine}} Since then, Boras clients regularly pushed draft compensation higher, starting with $247,500 for Andy Benes in 1988; a $1.01 million guarantee for Ben McDonald in 1989, including a $350,000 bonus; a $1.2 million guarantee, including a $500,000 bonus for Todd Van Poppel in 1990; $1.55 million for Brien Taylor in 1991;{{cite news|url= https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-taylor060506|author= Jeff Passan |title= The arm that changed the Major League draft |date=June 5, 2006 |periodical= Yahoo! Sports}} continuing through $8.5 million for J. D. Drew in 1998 and $9.5 million for Mark Teixeira in 2001.{{cite news |author= Tim Casey |title= A small-town boy becomes a big-time force in baseball |date=January 22, 2006 |periodical= Sacramento Bee}} In 2009, Boras clients broke several draft records, led by Stephen Strasburg, who surpassed the $15 million barrier with the largest contract in draft history at that time with $15.1 million; Donavan Tate, who received the largest signing bonus ever given to a high school player at $6.25 million; and Jacob Turner, who received the largest signing bonus ever given to a high school pitcher at $4.7 million.{{cite news |author= Bill Shaikin|title= Stephen Strasburg gets a record $15.1-million deal with the Nationals|date=August 17, 2009|periodical= Los Angeles Times}}{{cite web|url= http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=1755|author= Jim Callis|title= $160.2 Million Spent In Top 10 Rounds |date=August 17, 2009 |work= Baseball America}}

The Boras Corporation operates out of a $20 million, {{convert|23000|sqft|m2|adj=on}}, two-story, glass-and-steel building in Newport Beach, California.{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-boras081809&prov=yhoo&type=lgns|author=Tim Brown

|title=What a peach: Boras orchestrates satisfaction|date=August 18, 2009|periodical= Yahoo! Sports}} Subsidiary companies include Boras Marketing, which does memorabilia, marketing, and endorsements;{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/12-21-2006/0004495275&EDATE|title=GGL and New York Yankee Johnny Damon Launch the Professional Baseball Video Game League|website=PRNewswire.com|access-date=October 28, 2017}} and the Boras Sports Training Institute for strength/conditioning and sports psychology.{{citation|url= http://menshealth.coverleaf.com/menshealth/200905/?pg=133#pg133|title= Sports Training for Baseball Superstars – Major League Muscle|date= May 2009|page= 114|periodical= Men's Health}} Many of the 75-person staff are former major leaguers, including Bob Brower, Don Carman, Bill Caudill, Scott Chiamparino, Mike Fischlin, Calvin Murray, Jeff Musselman, Domingo Ramos and Kurt Stillwell. The company has scouts across the United States, Asia and Latin America.{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/larrystone/2004300142_stone23.html|author=Larry Stone|title=Mariners prospect Carlos Triunfel has the touch of greatness |date=March 23, 2008 |periodical= The Seattle Times}}{{cite news |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/120405dnspoborastrinkets.259f7ba.html |author=Evan Grant |title=Inside Scott Boras Corp. |date=December 4, 2005 |periodical= The Dallas Morning News}} Staff also includes an MIT-trained economist, a former NASA computer engineer, three lawyers, five personal trainers, and an investment team, although the firm does not provide investment services for clients. Also on staff is a sports psychologist and a 14-person research staff charged with watching each day's games and reporting to Boras.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2006-11-14-boras-cover_x.htm |author=Bob Nightengale |title=Boras is baseball's bigger deal man |date=November 14, 2006|periodical= USA Today}}{{cite news|author=Thomas Stinson|title=Super-Agent is King of the Squeeze Play|date=October 21, 2007 |periodical= Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}

Notable active clients

Here is a list of Boras Corp. notable active clients:

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}

{{Div col end}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/scott-boras/?sh=37ba3cf36637|title=Scott Boras|work=Forbes|date=December 22, 2020|access-date=October 28, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/bluejays/news/report-marcus-semien-hires-boras-corporation|title=Report: Marcus Semien Hires Boras Corporation to Represent Him in Free Agency|website=si.com|publisher=Sports Illustrated|first=Ethan|last=Diamandas|date=October 28, 2021|access-date=October 28, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/scott-boras-clients-give-agent-billion-dollar-offseason-after-hyun-jin-ryus-blue-jays-deal/|title=Scott Boras clients give agent billion-dollar offseason after Hyun-Jin Ryu's Blue Jays deal|work=CBS Sports|first=R.J.|last=Anderson|date=December 23, 2021|access-date=October 28, 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Gustafson |first=Brandon |date=August 23, 2023 |title=Passan: Mariners should lock up Cal Raleigh next, but it won't be easy |url=https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1764555/passan-seattle-mariners-should-lock-up-cal-raleigh/ |website=Seattle Sports}}

Negotiations

Over the course of his career, Boras has represented hundreds of players on all 30 major league teams and has participated in dozens of high-profile negotiations. Boras' specialty is the record-breaking contract, which he says is the most difficult to achieve because it then provides an "umbrella" from which other players can benefit. Boras is well known for identifying sources of leverage for his clients and using them for the clients' advantage. This has included advising draft picks to return to school instead of signing, taking advantage of the right to go to salary arbitration hearings, and advising superstars to wait for free agency instead of taking "hometown discount" contracts.{{cite news|url= http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/2005draft/050519boras.html|author= John Manuel|title= Boras Factor Confounds Clubs|date=May 19, 2005|periodical= Baseball America}}{{cite news|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-28-sp-newhan28-story.html|author= Ross Newhan|title= Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira are keepers: Dodgers, Angels should pay whatever it takes to retain slugging free agents|date=September 28, 2008|periodical= Los Angeles Times}} This does not endear him to fans, who regularly side with their favorite teams and not individual players.{{cite news|url = http://www.mensjournal.com/the-devil’s-doorstep|author = Matt Taibbi|title = The Devil's Doorstep: A Visit with Scott Boras|date = February 23, 2009|periodical = Men's Journal|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120130024419/http://www.mensjournal.com/the-devil%E2%80%99s-doorstep|archive-date = January 30, 2012|df = mdy-all}} Boras, however, has said his job is to represent his clients' interests, even if it means weathering public criticism.{{cite news|url = http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/the-boras-factor/16440/|author = Jeffrey Anderson|title = The Boras Factor|date = May 24, 2007|periodical = LA Weekly|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070525104149/http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/the-boras-factor/16440/|archive-date = May 25, 2007|df = mdy-all}}{{cite news|url= https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/040510/10eeagent.htm|author= Matthew Benjamin|title= Go-To Guy: Agent Scott Boras is changing the business of baseball|date= May 2, 2004 |periodical= U.S. News & World Report}}{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/13/sports/baseball/13boras.html |author= Jack Curry |title= Ultimate Salesman, Pitching the Biggest Stars in Baseball |date= December 13, 2004 |periodical= New York Times}} Boras' innovative strategies have benefited his clients enough that Major League Baseball has changed its rules in response to his actions on multiple occasions.{{cite news |url= http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8012 |title= Boras vs. Baseball – A Primer |author= Kevin Goldstein |date= August 30, 2008|periodical= Baseball Prospectus}} This has led to descriptions of Boras ranging from "baseball's most hated man" and "baseball's answer to Lord Voldemort" to the man "players can't afford to live without."[http://www.slate.com/id/105783/ Scott Boras, Motherhood, and Apple Pie – By Bryan Curtis] Slate Magazine

{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/08/02/juan-soto-lerners-mistake/|title= You don't trade a player like Juan Soto — ever|author= John Feinstein|date= August 2, 2022|newspaper= Washington Post}}

[https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/040510/10eeagent.htm Agent Scott Boras is changing the business of baseball] U.S. News & World Report{{cite news| url=https://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2007/04/01/why_scott_boras_is_the_best_and_worst_thing_to_happen_to_baseball/?page=3 | work=The Boston Globe | title=Why Scott Boras is the best (and worst) thing to happen to baseball | date=April 1, 2007 | first1=Charles P. | last1=Pierce}}

=1980s=

  • Boras' first major contract showdown was between Bill Caudill and the Toronto Blue Jays in February 1985. Caudill was eligible for salary arbitration, and Boras negotiated a $1.5 million contract that made Caudill the second-highest paid reliever in the game. Caudill was a former minor league teammate of Boras.{{cite news |last1=Faris |first1=David |title=Inside MLB super agent Scott Boras' dreadful winter |url=https://theweek.com/sports/Scott-Boras-agent-baseball |access-date=29 July 2024 |work=The Week |date=11 April 2024 |language=en}}
  • In 1988, Boras represented the top three picks in the amateur draft: Andy Benes, Mark Lewis and Steve Avery. Benes signed for a $235,000 bonus, the largest in baseball history at the time.{{cite news |url= http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/2005draft/050519boras2.html |title= Scott Boras Timeline |author= Alan Schwarz|date= May 19, 2005|periodical= Baseball America}}
  • The next year, in 1989, Boras negotiated the first multi-year major league contract ever given to a baseball-only amateur, a $1.01 million deal for first overall pick Ben McDonald with the Baltimore Orioles, which included a $350,000 signing bonus.

=1990s=

  • In 1990, Boras stunned baseball officials by securing a record $1.2 million guaranteed major league contract for the #14 pick in the draft, high school pitcher Todd Van Poppel. The contract included a $500,000 signing bonus.
  • In 1991, Boras again set a record by securing a $1.55 million bonus from the New York Yankees for high school phenomenon Brien Taylor.
  • In 1992, Boras negotiated a record five-year, $28 million contract for Greg Maddux with the Atlanta Braves, eclipsing the second-best offer by $9 million. The contract trailed only David Cone's contract in terms of annual value and was two years longer.{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/10/sports/baseball-maddux-bolts-and-yankees-feel-jilted.html|author= Joe Sexton|title= Maddux Bolts, and Yankees Feel Jilted|date=December 10, 1992|periodical= The New York Times}}
  • In 1993, Boras represented the first two picks in the draft, Alex Rodriguez and Darren Dreifort. Both eventually received $1.3 million contracts, although Rodriguez signed against Boras' advice. Boras was demanding a $3 million deal, and nearly prevented Rodriguez from signing at all.
  • In 1996, Boras used an obscure provision in the major league rules to have draft picks Matt White (seventh overall pick, San Francisco Giants) and Bobby Seay (12th overall pick, Chicago White Sox) declared free agents. White and Seay both then signed with the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays, with White receiving a $10.2 million contract and Seay receiving a $3 million bonus, significantly more than what they would have received via the draft process. The following year, Major League Baseball changed its rules in response to Boras' success in circumventing the draft, which had resulted in at least $25 million in extra money for his clients. For many years, being "outsmarted" by Boras and losing Seay remained a sore spot for White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, one of Commissioner Bud Selig's closest allies.{{cite news|url= https://www.espn.com/gammons/s/0506.html|title= They did it right when they built Pac Bell|author= Peter Gammons|date= May 6, 2000|periodical= ESPN}}{{cite news|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43200-2004Sep22.html|title= In a Pinch, Reinsdorf Ready to Start Swinging|author= Thomas Boswell|date= September 23, 2004|newspaper= The Washington Post}}
  • In 1997, Boras advised draft pick J. D. Drew not to accept the Philadelphia Phillies' $2.6 million offer. Drew instead signed a professional contract with the independent St. Paul Saints. Boras and the MLBPA then filed a grievance to have Drew declared a free agent since only "amateurs" could be subject to what was then known as the "amateur draft". Boras won the argument, but the arbitrator ruled he could not grant Drew free agency since he was not a member of the MLBPA. Instead, Drew re-entered the draft the following year and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals for nearly three times the Phillies' best offer. Major League Baseball again was forced to amend its rules because of Boras; the draft is now called the "First Year Player Draft" as a result of the Drew grievance.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/draft/|title=First-Year Player Draft|website=Major League Baseball|access-date=October 28, 2017}}
  • Following the 1997 season, Boras broke the $50 million barrier by negotiating a five-year, $57.5 million contract for Greg Maddux with the Atlanta Braves, making Maddux the highest paid player in the game.
  • Only a year later, in 1998, Boras broke the $100 million barrier by negotiating a seven-year, $105 million contract for Kevin Brown with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brown dethroned Maddux as the highest-paid player in the game.
  • Also in 1998, Boras negotiated a seven-year, $87.5 million contract for Bernie Williams to stay with the New York Yankees, even though the Yankees had made a public statement that they would not exceed $60 million for Williams.{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/26/sports/baseball-the-boss-succumbs-to-a-master-bluffer.html|title= The Boss Succumbs To a Master Bluffer|author= Jack Curry|date= November 26, 1998|periodical= The New York Times}}
  • In 1999, Boras filed a grievance on behalf of Adrián Beltré because the Los Angeles Dodgers falsified Beltré's Dominican Republic birth records prior to signing him in 1994. Team representatives changed the records in order to sign Beltré when he was only 15 (under baseball rules international prospects are not eligible to sign until they are 16). In response to Boras's grievance, Commissioner Bud Selig awarded Beltré damages of $48,500. Additionally, Selig imposed significant penalties on the Dodgers.{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/22/sports/baseball-dodgers-get-to-keep-beltre-but-are-penalized.html |title= Dodgers Get to Keep Beltre, but Are Penalized |author= Murray Chass|date= December 22, 1999|periodical= The New York Times}}
  • Other Boras clients in the 1990s included Keith Hernandez, Alex Fernandez, Charles Johnson, Robb Nen, Jay Bell and Jim Abbott.{{cite news|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-nov-29-sp-48748-story.html |author= Jon Heyman|title= Powerful Boras Holds Many of the Free-Agent Cards |date=November 29, 1998 |periodical= Los Angeles Times

}}

=2000=

  • In 2000, under Boras's supervision, high school prospect Landon Powell earned his GED following his junior year of high school and then filed the necessary paperwork to make him eligible for that year's draft. Powell went undrafted, since the major league teams did not expect him to be draft eligible, making him a free agent.{{cite news

|url= http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/highschool/050302hsnotes.html

|title= High Heat

|author= Alan Matthews

|date= March 2, 2005

|periodical= Baseball America}} Whether because of Powell's ability, his pricetag, or internal resentment within Major League Baseball about his successful end-run around the draft, Powell did not sign, instead enrolling at the University of South Carolina.

  • At the baseball Winter Meetings following the 2000 season, Boras negotiated two record-breaking contracts for clients who had gone first and second overall in the 1993 draft. The former second pick, Darren Dreifort, was the first to sign, with Boras finalizing a five-year, $55 million contract for Dreifort to stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 11.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=938374&type=news

|title= RHP Dreifort agrees to five-year deal with Dodgers

|date= December 11, 2000

|periodical= ESPN}}

  • One day later, on December 12, Boras finalized what was then the largest contract in professional sports history, a 10-year, $252 million contract for former first overall pick Alex Rodriguez to play for the Texas Rangers. The contract doubled the previous record for an American team sport, Kevin Garnett's $126 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and exceeded the price owner Tom Hicks had paid for the entire Rangers franchise three years earlier.{{cite news

|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/12/sports/a-slugging-shortstop-to-get-252-million.html

|title= A Slugging Shortstop To Get $252 Million

|date= December 12, 2000

|periodical= The New York Times}}

=2001=

  • In February 2001, Boras and Andruw Jones defeated the Atlanta Braves in salary arbitration, with Jones earning an arbitration-record $8.2 million salary in only his second year of arbitration eligibility.{{cite news

|url= https://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2007/04/01/why_scott_boras_is_the_best_and_worst_thing_to_happen_to_baseball/

|author= Charles P. Pierce

|title= Why Scott Boras is the best (and worst) thing to happen to baseball

|date= April 1, 2007

|periodical= Boston Globe Magazine

}} The Jones decision remained the largest salary arbitration win for any player in history until 2008.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3256452

|title= Howard's $10M win in arbitration sets new high-water mark

|date= February 22, 2008

|periodical= Associated Press}}

  • The Texas Rangers and Boras engaged in another high-profile negotiation after the June 2001 draft. Boras negotiated a $9.5 million, four-year major league contract for fifth overall pick Mark Teixeira.
  • In December 2001, Boras and free agent Barry Bonds, the reigning National League MVP, surprised the San Francisco Giants by accepting the club's offer of salary arbitration.{{cite news

|url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=20011220&id=fo4NAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MXADAAAAIBAJ&pg=4756,7006763

|title= Bonds accepts arbitration from Giants

|date= December 20, 2001

|periodical= Associated Press}} Boras eventually negotiated a five-year, $90 million contract for the 37-year-old slugger.{{cite news

|url= https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/bonds-gets-90-million-us-from-giants-1.351777

|title= Bonds gets $90 million US from Giants

|date= January 15, 2002

|periodical= CBC Sports}}

=2002=

  • In December 2002, for the second year in a row, a Boras free agent client surprised his former team by accepting salary arbitration. This time, it was Greg Maddux accepting the offer from the Atlanta Braves.{{cite news

|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/20/sports/baseball-maddux-accepts-arbitration-to-return-to-the-braves.html

|author= Murray Chass

|title= Maddux Accepts Arbitration to Return to the Braves

|date= December 20, 2002

|periodical= New York Times

}} Boras eventually negotiated a record-breaking $14.75 million contract for the star pitcher, at the time the largest one-year contract in baseball history.{{cite news

|url= http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/021803/bra_124-2420.shtml

|title= Maddux agrees to record one-year contract worth $14.75 million

|date= February 17, 2003

|periodical= Associated Press}}

=2003=

  • In December 2003, Boras was a part of the complex multi-party negotiations that would have resulted in Alex Rodriguez being traded from the Texas Rangers to the Boston Red Sox. Boras and Rodriguez offered to accept $12 million in reduced salaries in return for marketing rights and the right for Rodriguez to be a free agent after the 2005 season. The trade was eventually killed by the MLBPA because it would have cost Rodriguez $30 million in previously guaranteed compensation, setting a bad precedent (from the union's perspective) regarding the renegotiation of guaranteed contracts.{{cite news

|url= http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/6935544

|title= Red Sox say A-Rod deal is dead; Lucchino blames union

|date= December 18, 2003

|periodical= Associated Press}}

=2004=

  • In February 2004, Boras again negotiated regarding a trade for Alex Rodriguez, this time successfully from the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees. Once again, because of the complexity of Rodriguez's contract, several contractual modifications were necessary for the trade to happen, but unlike the prior year, none of the changes sacrificed previously guaranteed compensation.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1735937

|title= Selig gives blessing to mega-merger

|date= February 17, 2004

|periodical= ESPN}}

  • Boras represented the two consensus top prospects in the 2004 draft, Stephen Drew and Jered Weaver. The San Diego Padres had the first pick in the draft and were prepared to select Drew or Weaver, but Padres owner John Moores ordered the team to select Matt Bush in order to save money. Drew eventually received a $5.5 million major league contract from the Arizona Diamondbacks and was their starting shortstop from his major league debut in 2006 until his trade to the Oakland Athletics in 2012.{{cite news

|url= http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/news/264039.html

|author= Jack Magruder

|title= Diamondbacks Sign Scherzer

|date= May 31, 2007

|periodical= The New York Times}}{{cite web

|url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/drewst01.shtml

|title= Stephen Drew Statistics & History

|work= Baseball-Reference.com}} Weaver eventually received a $4 million bonus from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and won 16 games in 2009.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=2072258

|title= Angels sign first-round draft pick Jered Weaver to minor league contract

|date= May 31, 2005

|periodical= Associated Press}}{{cite web

|url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/weaveje02.shtml

|title= Jered Weaver Statistics & History

|work= Baseball-Reference.com}} Bush has hit .219 for his career, was converted to a pitcher, endured a series of off-field legal problems, and was cut by Toronto in 2009 for their zero-tolerance behavior policy. On January 28, 2010, Bush signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays with an invite to spring training.{{cite news

|url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/02/12/matt.bush/index.html

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090215203557/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/02/12/matt.bush/index.html

|url-status= dead

|archive-date= February 15, 2009

|author= Lee Jenkins

|title= Former No. 1 pick Bush ends Padres tenure as epic bust

|date= February 12, 2009

|periodical= Sports Illustrated; CNN}} Bush didn't make his debut until he was 30 years old in 2016 for the Texas Rangers.

  • Following the 2004 season, Boras negotiated a five-year, $55 million contract for J. D. Drew to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Boras included the right to opt out of the contract after two years, which Drew used effectively after the 2006 season.{{cite news

|url= http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/9790726

|title= What's J.D. thinking? Dodgers' Drew opts for free-agency

|date= November 9, 2006

|periodical= CBS Sports}}

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1947751

|title= Beltre gets 5-year deal day after Sexson signs

|date= December 16, 2004

|periodical= Associated Press}}

  • Later that month, Boras negotiated a four-year, $40 million contract for Boston Red Sox catcher and team captain Jason Varitek to return to the team.{{cite news

|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/24/sports/baseball/24baseball.html

|author= Pat Borzi

|title= Red Sox to Keep Varitek, the Team's Heart and Soul

|date= December 24, 2004

|periodical= The New York Times}}

=2005=

  • In January 2005, Boras negotiated his third contract in excess of $100 million, this time sending Carlos Beltrán to the New York Mets for $119 million guaranteed over seven years.{{cite news

|url= https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0DEFD81638F931A25752C0A9639C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all

|author= Jack Curry

|title= Beltran Brings Great Hope To 'New Mets'

|date= January 12, 2005

|periodical= The New York Times}}

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1963359

|title= Lowe: 'I think I'm taking a physical'

|date= January 11, 2005

|periodical= Associated Press}}

  • The next month, Boras negotiated another contract with a potential value in excess of $100 million, when Magglio Ordóñez agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract with two vesting option years that push the potential value to $105 million over seven years. The contract was complicated by language allowing the Tigers to void the contract after the 2005 season if Ordóñez's previous knee problems returned.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1985108

|title= Five-year deal worth $75 million

|date= February 5, 2005

|periodical= ESPN}}

  • Also in February 2005, Boras won a salary arbitration case for Kyle Lohse against the Minnesota Twins. Lohse received a raise from $395,000 to $2.4 million.{{cite news

|url= https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2005-02-11-arbitration_x.htm

|title= Lohse beats Twins in first arbitration hearing of year

|date= February 11, 2005

|periodical= Associated Press; USA Today

| access-date=May 23, 2010}}

  • In December 2005, Boras negotiated a four-year, $52 million contract for Boston Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon to join the rival New York Yankees. The Red Sox had failed to improve their $40 million offer, thinking Boras was bluffing.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2266983

|title= Yankees add Damon to potent lineup

|date= December 21, 2005

|periodical= ESPN}}{{cite news

|url= https://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/12/21/damon_jumps_to_yankees/

|author= Gordon Edes and Chris Snow

|title= Damon jumps to Yankees

|date= December 21, 2005

|periodical= The Boston Globe}}

  • Also in December 2005, Boras landed a five-year, $60 million contract for Kevin Millwood with the Texas Rangers, despite Millwood's history of arm trouble.{{cite news

|url= https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/rangers/2005-12-26-millwood_x.htm

|title= Millwood signs five-year, $60 million deal with Rangers

|date= December 28, 2005

|periodical= Associated Press; USA Today

| access-date=May 23, 2010}} The deal gave the Rangers the ability to void the final year of the contract (2010) if Millwood did not meet certain innings totals. However, Millwood met the required threshold in September 2009.{{cite news

|url= http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090910&content_id=6890928&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb

|author= T.R. Sullivan

|title= Rangers won't sit Millwood to save $12M

|date= September 10, 2009

|periodical= MLB.com}}

=2006=

  • In February 2006, Boras won a salary arbitration hearing for Kyle Lohse for the second year in a row, defeating the Minnesota Twins and earning Lohse a raise to $3.95 million. Lohse became the first player to win back-to-back arbitration cases since 1991.{{cite news

|url= http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060216&content_id=1312949&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110617004757/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060216&content_id=1312949&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min

|url-status= dead

|archive-date= June 17, 2011

|author= Kelly Thesier

|title= Lohse rewarded in arbitration case

|date= February 16, 2006

|periodical= MLB.com}}

  • In June 2006, Boras client and former University of Tennessee star pitcher Luke Hochevar was selected first overall in the draft by the Kansas City Royals. Hochevar eventually signed a four-year major league contract for $5.2 million guaranteed, with the opportunity to make up to $7 million.{{cite news

|url= http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060803&content_id=1591136&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

|author= Dick Kaegel

|title= Royals agree with top pick Hochevar

|date=August 3, 2006

|periodical= Baseball America}} The contract vindicated Boras's advice; at the prompting of a different agent, Hochevar had nearly accepted a $2.98 million offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers the previous September. Boras advised Hochevar to decline the offer.{{cite news

|url= http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/050919hochevar.html

|author= John Manuel

|title= Dodgers and Hochevar Start From Scratch

|date=September 19, 2005

|periodical= Baseball America}}

  • Following the 2006 season, Boras advised J. D. Drew to opt out of the final three years and $33 million remaining on his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Boras then negotiated a five-year, $70 million contract for Drew with the Boston Red Sox. The contract was not finalized until January 26, 2007, because Boras and the Red Sox had to develop special contract language regarding potential injury to Drew's shoulder. Drew had the shoulder surgically repaired earlier in his career.{{cite news

|url= http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070125&content_id=1786686&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070228220231/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070125&content_id=1786686&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

|url-status= dead

|archive-date= February 28, 2007

|author= Ian Browne

|title= Red Sox, Drew finalize deal

|date=January 26, 2007

|periodical= MLB.com}}

  • On December 14, 2006, after weeks of speculation, public posturing, and intensely scrutinized negotiations, Boras finalized a six-year, $52 million contract for Japanese superstar pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka to play for the Boston Red Sox. Matsuzaka was not a free agent (the Red Sox paid an additional $51.1 million to his Japanese team for exclusive negotiating rights), meaning Matsuzaka's only alternative to signing with the Red Sox was to return to Japan.{{cite news

|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/14/sports/baseball/14redsox.html

|author= Jack Curry

|title= Red Sox Ready to Announce Matsuzaka Deal

|date=December 14, 2006

|periodical= The New York Times}}

  • Two weeks later, on December 28, 2006, Boras negotiated a record-breaking seven-year, $126 million contract with the San Francisco Giants for Barry Zito. The contract was the largest ever given to a pitcher in baseball history.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2710389

|title= Zito's Giants deal worth about $18M per year

|date= December 29, 2006

|periodical= ESPN}}

=2007=

  • The 2007 collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and the MLBPA imposed an August 15 deadline for draft picks to sign. This was in direct response to Boras's successful strategy of advising draft picks like Jason Varitek, J. D. Drew, Stephen Drew, Jered Weaver, Luke Hochevar and Max Scherzer to wait as long as possible to sign and marked at least the third time baseball rules were changed because of Boras.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061024&content_id=1722380&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=MLB, MLBPA reach five-year labor accord|website=Major League Baseball|access-date=October 28, 2017}}
  • On August 13, 2007, Boras finalized a record-breaking $7.3 million contract with the Detroit Tigers for the 27th overall draft pick, Rick Porcello. The four-year major league contract, which could end up paying Porcello over $10 million, was the largest contract ever given to a high school player.{{cite news

|url= http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070815&content_id=2150111&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det&partnered=rss_det

|author= Jason Beck

|title= Tigers sign Porcello, two other picks

|date= August 15, 2007

|periodical= MLB.com}}

  • On October 28, 2007, Boras and New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez exercised the right to opt out of Rodriguez's original 10-year, $252 million contract, with three years and $72 million remaining.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3084583

|title= Rodriguez opts out of $252 million, 10-year contract with Yanks

|date= October 29, 2007

|periodical= The Associated Press}} Boras and Rodriguez were criticized for the timing of the decision, which leaked during Game 4 of the 2007 World Series.{{cite news

|url= http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2008/09/06/2008-09-06_a_year_after_alex_rodriguez_debacle_scot.html

|author= Michael O'Keeffe

|title= This Man Has (Base) Balls

|date= September 7, 2008

|periodical= New York Daily News}} Rodriguez met with Yankees officials in Miami, and afterward Rodriguez instructed Boras to finalize a record-breaking 10-year, $275 million contract.{{cite news

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/sports/baseball/16yankees.html

|author=Tyler Kepner

|title=Yankees May Pay Rodriguez for Home Run Record

|date=November 16, 2007

|periodical= The New York Times}} Boras and the Yankees then crafted a series of unique marketing bonuses that will pay Rodriguez an additional $30 million for tying and surpassing Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds on the all-time home run list. The high-profile opt-out and negotiations strained Boras and Rodriguez's relationship, and Rodriguez hired Madonna's manager to be his marketing representative, but Boras retained his role as Rodriguez's baseball agent and has since reported that their relationship is "repaired".{{cite news

|url= https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=6182903

|author= Ron Blum

|title= Boras Says Relationship With A-Rod Repaired

|date= November 4, 2008

|periodical= The Associated Press}}{{cite news| url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/a-rod-bats-for-oseary-s-team-1117977876/ | work=Variety | title=A-Rod bats for Oseary's team | first=Phil | last=Gallo | date=December 17, 2007}}

  • In December 2007, Boras negotiated a two-year, $36.2 million contract for Andruw Jones with the Los Angeles Dodgers, making Jones the fifth highest paid player in the major leagues despite a .222 batting average during the 2007 season.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3143653

|title= Preliminary agreement would give Jones $36.2 million

|date= December 6, 2007

|periodical= The Associated Press}} Following a poor 2008 season, Boras negotiated Jones's release from the Dodgers in January 2009 in return for deferring the remaining money owed on the contract.{{cite news

|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jan-03-sp-dodgers3-story.html

|author= Bill Shaikin

|title= It appears Andruw Jones is done as a Dodger

|date= January 3, 2009

|periodical= Los Angeles Times

}} Jones then signed a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers.{{cite news

|url= http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/020909dnsporangerslede.313893c.html

|author= Jeff Wilson

|title= Texas Rangers sign Andruw Jones to minor league deal

|date= February 8, 2009

|periodical= Dallas Morning News}}

=2008=

  • On July 31, 2008, Boras negotiated away the option years on Manny Ramirez's contract with the Boston Red Sox as part of Ramirez's trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers, making Ramirez a free agent after the 2008 season, two years early.{{cite news

|url= https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-07-31-ramirez-trade_N.htm

|author= Bob Nightengale

|title= Three-way deal sends Ramirez to Dodgers, Bay to Red Sox

|date= August 1, 2008

|periodical= USA Today}}

  • On August 15, 2008, negotiations between Boras and the Pittsburgh Pirates regarding second overall draft pick Pedro Alvarez went up to (and beyond) the midnight deadline for draft picks to sign. Major League Baseball unilaterally extended the deadline, and Boras and the MLBPA filed a grievance. After weeks of legal wrangling, Alvarez signed a major league contract for $6.355 million.{{cite news

|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08266/914155-63.stm

|author= Dejan Kovacevic

|title= Pirates, Alvarez agree to revised contract

|date= September 22, 2008

|periodical= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}

  • In December 2008, Boras negotiated an eight-year, $180 million contract for Mark Teixeira with the New York Yankees, making Teixeira the highest-paid first baseman in baseball history and the third highest-paid player in all of baseball, behind only Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter.{{cite news

|url= https://nymag.com/news/sports/55674/

|author= Will Leitch

|title= Boomball

|date= March 29, 2009

|periodical= New York Magazine}}

=2009=

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3829521

|author= Jerry Crasnick

|title= Sources: Braves, Lowe agree on deal

|date= January 13, 2009

|periodical= ESPN}}

|url= https://www.espn.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3952742&name=gammons_peter

|author= Peter Gammons

|title= Manny, Dodgers both winners in the end

|date= March 4, 2009

|periodical= ESPN}}

  • In August 2009, Boras negotiated the largest contract in draft history for first overall pick Stephen Strasburg, a $15.1 million major league contract with the Washington Nationals.
  • Several other Boras clients also signed record-breaking deals following the 2009 draft, including Donavan Tate's $6.25 million signing bonus with the San Diego Padres (largest ever for a high school player), Jacob Turner's $4.7 million signing bonus with the Detroit Tigers (largest ever given to a high school pitcher, part of a major league contract that could pay Turner an additional $4 million) and second-overall pick Dustin Ackley's $6 million signing bonus (tied for the largest upfront bonus in history, part of a major league contract worth up to $10 million with $7.5 million guaranteed).{{cite news

|url= http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=1724

|author= Jim Callis

|title= The Strasburg & Ackley Deals

|date= August 17, 2009

|periodical= Baseball America}}

=2010=

  • In January 2010, Boras negotiated a seven-year, $120 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals for Matt Holliday, the largest contract in team history.{{cite magazine

|url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/01/05/heyman.holliday/index.html

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100417025706/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/01/05/heyman.holliday/index.html

|url-status= dead

|archive-date= April 17, 2010

|author= Jon Heyman

|title= Holliday reaches mega-deal with Cardinals

|date= January 5, 2010

|magazine= Sports Illustrated}}

  • In August 2010, Boras brokered a record five-year, $9.9 million deal for the #1 overall pick in the draft, 17-year-old Bryce Harper, with the Washington Nationals. It marked the second year in a row Boras and the Nationals collaborated on a record deal for the top overall pick in the draft.{{cite news

|url= https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ilQUkcw2UNP_KPEgGtWjM07LnNGgD9HL38LG0

|author= Howard Fendrich

|title= Nationals, top pick Bryce Harper agree at $9.9M

|date= August 17, 2010

|periodical= The Associated Press}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Harper's contract set a new standard for position players in the draft, breaking the previous record held by Boras's deal for Mark Teixeira in 2001. Like fellow Boras client Landon Powell in 2000, Harper earned his GED early in order to enter the draft sooner than would otherwise have been possible.{{cite news

|url= http://www.lvrj.com/sports/48018907.html

|author= Matt Youmans

|title= Harper ready to give college try

|date= June 14, 2009

|periodical= Las Vegas Review-Journal}}

|url= http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100816&content_id=13542314&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

|author= Jonathan Mayo

|title= Draft picks procured as deadline dust settles

|date= August 17, 2010

|periodical= MLB.com}}

  • In November 2010, The New York Times ran an article about loans Boras's firm made to a Dominican client, Edward Salcedo, over a period of several years.{{cite news

|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/sports/baseball/23boras.html

|author= Michael S. Schmidt

|title= Sports Agent's Loans to Poor Players Pose Concerns

|date= November 22, 2010

|periodical= New York Times}} Boras dismissed the Salcedo loans as a "non-issue" that complied with the MLBPA's rules.{{cite news

|url= http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/24/boras-dismisses-the-salcedo-loan-as-a-non-issue/

|author= Craig Calcaterra

|title= Boras dismisses the Salcedo loan as a non-issue

|date= November 24, 2010

|periodical= NBC Sports}}{{cite news

|url= https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-boras-loans

|author= Ronald Blum

|title= Boras says loan complied with regulations

|date= November 24, 2010

|periodical= Associated Press}} Salcedo himself also disputed the Times' report. Subsequent analysis by the baseball press supported Boras's position, leading at least one prominent commentator{{who?|date=July 2024}} to question the agenda underlying the Times' reports.{{cite news

|url= https://insider.espn.com/mlb/blog?name=law_keith&id=5863218

|author= Keith Law

|title= Boras playing by baseball's rules

|date= November 29, 2010

|periodical= ESPN}}{{cite news

|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/sports/baseball/24boras.html

|author= Michael S. Schmidt

|title= Boras Says Player's Loans Are Part of 'Goodwill Story'

|date= November 23, 2010

|periodical= New York Times}}{{cite news

|url= http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/24/why-are-we-suddenly-hearing-about-the-boras-salcedo-loan-story/

|author= Craig Calcaterra

|title= Why are we suddenly hearing about the Boras-Salcedo loan story?

|date= November 24, 2010

|periodical= NBC Sports}}{{cite news

|url= http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/29/the-boras-salcedo-loan-didnt-even-violate-mlbpa-rules/

|author= Craig Calcaterra

|title= The Boras-Salcedo loan didn't even violate MLBPA rules

|date= November 29, 2010

|periodical= NBC Sports}}

  • On December 5, 2010, Boras negotiated a seven-year, $126 million contract for Jayson Werth with the Washington Nationals, only three months after Werth hired him.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5888329

|title= Jayson Werth signs with Nationals

|date= December 5, 2010

|periodical= ESPN}}{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings100923

|author= Jayson Stark

|title= Bud Selig gets the message

|date= September 23, 2010

|periodical= ESPN}} The contract tied for the third largest in baseball history for an outfielder, trailing only Manny Ramirez's contract with the Boston Red Sox and Alfonso Soriano's contract with the Chicago Cubs.{{cite news

|url= http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/boras-seeking-insane-contract-for-werth-120510

|author= Ken Rosenthal

|title= Boras gets insane contract for Werth

|date= December 5, 2010

|periodical= Fox Sports}}

=2011=

|url= http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_16999907

|author= Troy E. Renck

|title= Rockies and Gonzalez OK 7-year, $80 million deal, sources say

|date= January 4, 2011

|periodical= Denver Post}}

  • Two days later, on January 5, Boras finished negotiations on a six-year, $96 million contract for Adrián Beltré with the Texas Rangers, the second major free agent contract of Beltré's career.{{cite news

|url= http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/14500406/Beltré-al-champion-rangers-close-on-contract/rss

|title= Beltré, Rangers agree to six-year, $96 million deal

|date= January 4, 2011

|periodical= CBS Sports}} Beltré previously signed for five years and $64 million with the Mariners, starting with the 2005 season. After that contract finished with an injury year for Beltré, Boras negotiated a one-year, $10 million contract with the Boston Red Sox for 2010 that included a player option for 2011.{{cite news

|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-redsox-Beltré-idUSTRE6074SJ20100108

|title= Red Sox sign defensive wizard Beltré

|date= January 8, 2010

|work= Reuters

|archive-url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/idCATRE6074SJ20100108

|archive-date=January 8, 2010}} Boras recommended that Beltré take a short-term deal, calling it a "pillow contract" that gave Beltré a soft landing while he restored his market value.{{cite news

|url= http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/34/boras-recommended-Beltré-take-short-term-deal

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130729120318/http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/34/boras-recommended-Beltr%C3%A9-take-short-term-deal

|url-status= dead

|archive-date= July 29, 2013

|author= Gordon Edes

|title= Boras recommended Beltré take short-term deal

|date= January 9, 2010

|periodical= ESPN}} Boras's inclusion of a player option allowed Beltré to play without fear of injury (what Boras called a "calamity scenario"), since at worst Beltré could exercise the option and guarantee himself $5 million for 2011. Beltré proved not to need the insurance, as he was an All-Star for Boston, finishing 9th in AL MVP voting.{{cite news

|url= http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/red_sox/index.php/2010/11/23/Beltré-finished-9th-in-al-mvp-balloting/

|author= Scott Lauber

|title= Hamilton crowned AL MVP; Beltré finishes 9th in balloting

|date= November 23, 2010

|periodical= Boston Herald}} Following the season Beltré declined the option, which had doubled to $10 million once he hit 640 plate appearances.{{cite news

|url= http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/14235754/bosox-decline-option-on-their-best-2010-hitter-Beltré/rss

|title= Beltré declines $10M option to stay with BoSox next year

|date= November 3, 2010

|periodical= CBS Sports}} Beltré and Boras then leveraged Beltré's rebound season into an additional year and $32 million more from the Rangers than Beltré received from the Mariners in 2004, even though Beltré entered the Rangers contract six years older.

  • On January 15, Boras completed a three-year, $35 million contract for Rafael Soriano to pitch for the New York Yankees.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=6020119

|title= Source: Rafael Soriano, Yanks agree

|date= January 15, 2011

|periodical= ESPN}} The deal was notable for Soriano's right to opt out of the contract following each season, effectively giving Soriano the power to leave the Yankees and seek a larger contract elsewhere without sacrificing the full guaranteed value should he suffer injury or poor performance.{{cite news

|url= http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/14/nice-work-by-scott-boras-on-the-rafael-soriano-deal/

|author= Craig Calcaterra

|title= Nice work by Scott Boras on the Rafael Soriano deal

|date= January 14, 2011

|periodical= NBC Sports}} Soriano would use this to opt out following the 2012 season.

  • On January 18, Boras negotiated a one-year arbitration settlement for Prince Fielder with the Milwaukee Brewers that paid him $15.5 million in 2011, his last year of arbitration eligibility.{{cite news

|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-brewers-fielder-idUSTRE70H69420110118

|title= Fielder gets record $15.5 million deal with Brewers

|date= January 18, 2011

|periodical= Reuters}} The settlement was the largest single-season arbitration contract in Major League history, 24% larger than the previous record of $12.5 million, negotiated by Boras for Mark Teixeira in 2008.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=6033892

|agency=Associated Press

|title= Brewers, Prince Fielder reach deal

|date= January 19, 2011

|periodical= ESPN}} It also made Fielder the highest-paid player in Brewers history.

  • Boras and his firm negotiated roughly $444.5 million in contracts during the 2010–2011 offseason, over $120 million more than any other firm.{{cite news

|url= http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/05/which-agency-had-the-biggest-offseason.html

|author= Tim Dierkes

|title= Which Agency Had The Biggest Offseason?

|date= May 9, 2011

|periodical= MLB Trade Rumors}}

|url= http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/03/mariners-to-sign-james-paxton.html

|author= Ben Nicholson-Smith

|title= Mariners Sign James Paxton

|date= March 7, 2011

|periodical= MLB Trade Rumors}} Paxton had previously sued Kentucky over the NCAA's demand (through the school) that he reveal the contents of his conversations with Boras, an attorney.{{cite news

|url= http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/12/04/the-ncaa-makes-its-own-rules-and-can-do-what-it-wants-to-do/

|author= Craig Calcaterra

|title= The NCAA makes its own rules and can do what it wants to do

|date= December 4, 2009

|periodical= Hardball Talk}} The issue arose because Toronto Blue Jays President Paul Beeston suggested in a media interview that he had communicated with Boras regarding Paxton. Paxton refused to submit to the interview sought by the NCAA, citing the due process protections in UK's student code of conduct. Under threat from the NCAA, the school refused to clear Paxton to play.{{cite news

|url= http://www.kentucky.com/2009/12/04/1044559/uk-pitcher-sues-university.html

|author= Ashlee Clark

|title= UK pitcher sues university

|date= December 4, 2009

|periodical= Lexington Herald-Leader}} Paxton had previously turned down approximately $874,000 from the Blue Jays before signing with the Mariners.{{cite news |title=Early word out of Az LHP James Paxton rec'd bonus under $1 M US somewhere in the $900,000 range. Jays slot offer in '09 was around $873,900

|url= https://twitter.com/elliottbaseball/status/44527628094418944

|author= Bob Elliott (Toronto Sun)

|date= March 6, 2011

|periodical= Twitter}}

  • On June 6, 2011, Gerrit Cole was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the first overall pick in the draft, marking the third consecutive year a player advised by Boras was selected first overall. (Stephen Strasburg was selected #1 in 2009, followed by Bryce Harper in 2010.){{cite news

|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11158/1151922-63-0.stm

|author= Bill Brink

|title= Pirates select Gerrit Cole with their No. 1 pick

|date= June 7, 2011

|periodical= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}} On August 15, Boras negotiated an all-time record bonus of $8 million for Cole, surpassing the $7.5 million Boras negotiated for Strasburg in 2009.{{cite news

|url= http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/news/2011/2612233.html

|author= Jim Callis

|title= No Matter The Slots, Teams Spent Freely In 2011

|date= August 18, 2011

|periodical= Baseball America}}

|url= http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/08/2937385/boras-wont-make-starling-negotiations.html

|author= Sam Mellinger

|title= Boras won't make Starling negotiations easy for Royals

|date= June 8, 2011

|periodical= The Kansas City Star}} Starling received a $7.5 million signing bonus, the second largest in draft history (behind only the bonus Boras negotiated for Cole, and tied with the bonus Boras negotiated for Strasburg). Starling's bonus was also the largest ever for a high school player (surpassing the $6.5 million bonus Boras negotiated for Tate in 2009), and the largest ever for a high school player (surpassing Tate and Harper). His contract also represented the most guaranteed money ever given to a high school player (surpassing Porcello).

  • Boras also negotiated a four-year major league contract worth a guaranteed $7.2 million for Anthony Rendon, 2010 winner of the Dick Howser Trophy ("the Heisman Trophy of college baseball") as the top player in the country, who was drafted sixth overall by the Washington Nationals.{{cite news

|url= http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110606&content_id=20104338&vkey=news_was&c_id=was

|author= Moisekapenda Bower and Bill Ladson

|title= Rendon has memorable Draft experience

|date= June 7, 2011

|website= MLB.com}}

  • Boras client Josh Bell received a record-breaking signing bonus of $5 million from the Pirates, who had drafted him in the second round. The bonus was over $1.5 million more than any other player had received outside the first round. With the deals for Cole and Bell, Boras negotiated more from Pirates in 2011 than any other team had ever spent on its entire draft (50+ rounds).
  • Finally, Boras negotiated $3 million bonuses for Brian Goodwin from the Washington Nationals and Austin Hedges from the San Diego Padres, each tied for the third-highest bonuses in draft history outside the first round, and negotiated a bigger bonus for Alex Meyer ($2 million from the Nationals) than four other college pitchers selected ahead of Meyer in the 2011 draft.

=2012=

  • On January 24, 2012, Boras secured a nine-year, $214 million contract for Prince Fielder with the Detroit Tigers, the fourth-largest contract ever for a baseball player.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/7498284/source-detroit-tigers-land-prince-fielder-nine-year-214-million-deal

|author= ESPN.com

|title= Source: Tigers to sign Prince Fielder

|date= January 24, 2012

|periodical= ESPN}} The deal surprised many in the industry with its length, its size, and the identity of the signing team, as it appeared that Boras might be boxed in by a lukewarm market for Fielder.{{cite news

|url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/baseball/mlb/01/26/tigers-fielder-contract.ap/index.html

|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120129092603/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/baseball/mlb/01/26/tigers-fielder-contract.ap/index.html

|url-status= dead

|archive-date= January 29, 2012

|agency=Associated Press

|title= Fielder's deal with Tigers pays big money up-front

|date= January 25, 2012

|periodical= Associated Press}}{{cite news

|url= http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120124&content_id=26452690&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

|author= Jason Beck

|title= Prince, Tigers reach nine-year deal

|date= January 24, 2012

|periodical= MLB.com}}{{cite news

|url= https://insider.espn.com/blog/buster-olney/

|author= Buster Olney

|title= The Ripple Effects of Fielder's Deal

|date= January 25, 2012

|periodical= ESPN}} With the Fielder deal, Boras became responsible for three of the four $200 million-plus deals in the history of the game (the other two being Alex Rodriguez's deals with the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees).

|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/07/09/cubs-reach-deal-with-top-pick-almora/

|title= Cubs reach deal with top pick Almora

|author= Paul Sullivan

|date= July 9, 2012

|periodical= Chicago Tribune}}

  • Pundits ranked Appel as the top prospect available in the draft. However, the Houston Astros selected Carlos Correa first overall and signed him to a contract for $2.4 million below his "slot value."{{cite news

|url= http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/19296153/correa-agrees-to-below-slot-bonus

|title= Correa agrees to below-slot bonus

|author= The Sports Xchange

|date= June 8, 2012

|periodical= CBS Sports}}

  • The Astros' savings from signing Correa and other players below their slot values ended up going to Boras advisees Lance McCullers Jr. and Rio Ruiz. McCullers was the Astros' supplemental first-round pick, and received a bonus of $2.5 million, or $1.24 million above "slot value." Ruiz was the Astros' 4th-round pick, and received a bonus of $1.85 million or $1.5 million above "slot value."{{cite news

|url= http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2012/06/18/astros-offer-was-one-mccullers-couldnt-walk-away-from/#5604101=0

|title= Astros' offer was one McCullers 'couldn't walk away from'

|author= Zachary Levine

|date= June 18, 2012

|periodical= Houston Chronicle}}

  • The Pirates selected Appel eighth overall. Appel chose to return to school rather than sign for the 8th pick's "slot value" of $2.9 million. The Astros then selected Appel first overall in the 2013 draft, and he signed with Houston for $6.35 million.{{cite magazine

|url= https://www.si.com/si-wire/2013/06/16/astros-mark-appel-bonus

|title= Report: Mark Appel signs with Astros for a bonus of $6.35 million

|author= Erin Weaver

|date= June 16, 2013

|magazine= Sports Illustrated}}

  • The Oakland A's selected Russell 11th and he signed for $2.625 million.{{cite news

|url= http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/06/14/as-sign-no-11-pick-addison-russell-for-2-625-million/

|title= A's sign No. 11 pick Addison Russell for $2.625 million

|author= Aaron Gleeman

|date= June 14, 2012

|periodical= NBC Sports}} The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Seager 18th and he signed for $2.35 million, $400,000 above "slot value."{{cite news

|url= https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2012-jun-30-la-sp-0630-dodgers-notes-20120630-story.html

|title= Top pick Corey Seager gets $2.35 million signing bonus

|author= Dylan Hernandez

|date= June 30, 2012

|periodical= Los Angeles Times}} The Boston Red Sox selected Marrero 24th and he signed for $2.05 million, $300,000 above "slot value."{{cite news

|url= http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/19392877/red-sox-sign-firstround-pick-ss-deven-marrero

|title= Red Sox sign first-round pick SS Deven Marrero

|agency=Associated Press

|date= June 20, 2012

|periodical= Associated Press}} Of the five first-round picks who received above their "slot value" in 2012, three of the five were Boras advisees.

  • On December 10, Boras completed a six-year, $36 million contract for Hyun-Jin Ryu with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ryu had been pitching for the Hanwha Eagles in Korea, and the Dodgers paid $25.7 million for the exclusive right to sign him. Ryu's contract also contained innings bonuses worth up to $1 million per year and other salary escalators. Ryu could also opt out of the contract if the Dodgers traded him, or after the 2017 season if he had reached 750 career innings pitched.{{cite news

|url= https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2012-dec-09-la-sp-dodgers-20121210-story.html

|title= Dodgers continue spending binge, sign Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin

|author= Dylan Hernandez

|date= December 9, 2012

|periodical= Los Angeles Times}}

=2013=

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/8938263/michael-bourn-gets-4-year-deal-cleveland-indians

|title= Michael Bourn agrees with Indians

|author= ESPN.com News Services

|date= February 12, 2013

|periodical= ESPN.com}} In March, Boras secured a three-year, $33 million contract for Kyle Lohse from the Milwaukee Brewers.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2013/story/_/id/9096239/milwaukee-brewers-agree-deal-kyle-lohse

|title= Brewers agree with Kyle Lohse

|author= Jerry Crasnick

|date= March 25, 2013

|periodical= ESPN.com}} Both players were subject to draft pick compensation under new rules that Boras dismissed as "corrupt" because they do not "reward performance."{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9099401/scott-boras-says-mlb-new-free-agency-rules-unfair

|title= Scott Boras: New system 'corrupt'

|author= ESPN.com News Services

|date= March 26, 2013

|periodical= ESPN.com}}

|url= https://www.espn.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/9134532/elvis-andrus-texas-rangers-signs-8-year-120m-extension

|title= Elvis Andrus signs 8-year extension

|author= Todd Willis

|date= April 4, 2013

|periodical= ESPN.com}} The contract covered the 2013–2022 seasons. Andrus would otherwise have been a free agent after the 2014 season. Both Rangers GM Jon Daniels and Boras called the contract "unusual." It contained a vesting option that could raise the value to $135 million over nine years. It also allowed Andrus to opt out following the 2018 and 2019 seasons, when he would be 29 or 30 years old. Andrus also received no-trade protection and award bonuses worth up to $800,000 per year.{{cite news

|url= http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/43698840/breaking-down-the-elvis-andrus-contract-extension-with-texas-rangers-what-it-means-for-jurickson-profar

|title= Why did the Rangers give Elvis Andrus so much money?

|author= Jonathan Bernhardt

|date= April 2, 2013

|periodical= Sports on Earth}}

|url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenheitner/2013/06/07/scott-boras-dominates-day-1-of-mlb-draft-advising-mark-appel-and-kris-bryant/

|title= Scott Boras Dominates Day 1 Of MLB Draft, Advising Mark Appel And Kris Bryant

|author= Darren Heitner

|date= June 7, 2013

|periodical= Forbes}}

  • Boras negotiated a $6.35 million bonus for Appel as the #1 pick, by the Astros. That more than doubled what Appel turned down from the Pirates the year before.
  • Boras also negotiated the largest bonus of any player in the draft ($6,708.400) for Bryant, selected #2 by the Cubs.{{cite news

|url= https://www.foxnews.com/sports/chicago-cubs-finalize-deal-with-third-baseman-kris-bryant-no-2-overall-pick-in-amateur-draft

|title= Chicago Cubs finalize deal with third baseman Kris Bryant, No 2 overall pick in amateur draft

|agency=Associated Press

|date= July 12, 2013

|periodical= Fox News}}

  • The Royals selected Manaea 34th overall, knowing he needed hip surgery before he could play again. Boras negotiated a bonus of $3.55 million, almost $2 million above "slot value."{{cite news

|url= http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/22499200/34th-pick-sean-manaea-signs-with-royals-headed-for-hip-surgery

|title= Draft pick Sean Manaea signs with Royals, headed for hip surgery

|author= Dayn Perry

|date= June 21, 2013

|periodical= CBS Sports}}

  • Boras negotiated a $1.5 million bonus for Lorenzen from the Reds as the #38 pick, roughly $30,000 above "slot value".{{cite news

|url= http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/06/reds-to-sign-comp-pick-michael-lorenzen.html

|title= Reds To Sign Comp Pick Michael Lorenzen

|author= Steve Adams

|date= June 20, 2013

|periodical= MLB Trade Rumors}}

|url= https://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/19151/cubs-sign-pitcher-jen-ho-tseng

|title= Cubs sign pitcher Jen-Ho Tseng

|author= Jesse Rogers

|date= August 12, 2013

|periodical= MLB Trade Rumors}}

  • Also in July, rapper and novice sports agent Jay-Z mentioned Boras in a song on his new album, referencing the decision by Robinson Canó to go with Jay-Z rather than Boras and accusing Boras of being "over baby." Boras declined to respond, instead telling the media he preferred the music of longtime client Bernie Williams.{{cite news

|url= http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/07/jay-z-scott-boras-robinson-cano-feud

|title= Scott Boras responds to Jay-Z's diss

|author= Mike Foss

|date= July 4, 2013

|periodical= USA Today}}

  • On December 3, Boras negotiated a seven-year, $153 million contract for Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to join the rival New York Yankees. An option year could raise the total value to $169 million over eight years. The Red Sox had offered Ellsbury a below-market $100 million contract and were outbid by the Yankees in an echo of Damon's 2005 deal. Both were top-of-the-order outfielders represented by Boras, fresh off a championship with Boston.{{cite news

|url= http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24325803/ellsbury-getting-close-to-a-sevenyear-deal-with-the-yankees

|title= Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees agree to seven-year, $153M deal

|author= Jon Heyman

|date= December 3, 2013

|periodical= CBS Sports}} Mainstream media described the deal as a "monster" and "brain-melting."{{cite news

|url= http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/source-ellsbury-agrees-to-monster-deal-with-yankees-120313

|title= Source: Ellsbury agrees to monster deal with Yankees

|author= Fox Sports

|date= December 3, 2013

|periodical= Fox Sports}}

  • On December 21, Boras completed a seven-year contract for free agent Shin-Soo Choo with the Texas Rangers. The contract guaranteed Choo $130 million.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/10176085/texas-rangers-sign-shin-soo-choo-7-year-deal

|title= Rangers land OF Shin-Soo Choo

|author= Jerry Crasnick

|date= December 21, 2013

|periodical= ESPN}} Entering the offseason, MLB general managers suggested in the media that Choo's value was much lower. They cited Michael Bourn's four-year $48 million contract, or B.J. Upton's five-year, $75 million contract as the proper barometer for Choo.{{cite news

|url= http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/23841395/is-choo-a-100m-player-boras-suggests-that-figure-is-actually-low

|title= Is Choo a $100M player? Boras suggests that figure is actually low

|author= Jon Heyman

|date= September 25, 2013

|periodical= CBS Sports}} Instead, Choo became the first player without an All-Star appearance to sign a contract worth $100 million or more.

=2014=

  • In 2014, two Boras free agent clients, Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales, did not sign until late May and early June respectively. Both players were subject to draft pick compensation under MLB rules, dampening their market. Boras criticized the compensation rules, while the MLBPA launched an investigation into team conduct.{{cite news

|url= http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/11/tony-clark-decries-an-espn-story-in-which-executives-speculate-about-stephen-drew-and-kendrys-morales-value/

|title= Tony Clark decries an ESPN story in which executives speculate about Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales' value

|author= Craig Calcaterra

|date= April 11, 2014

|periodical= NBC Sports}} The rules, which Boras dismissed as "corrupt" the previous winter, also hurt the market for players Boras did not represent, like Nelson Cruz, Ubaldo Jiménez, and Ervin Santana. All three signed one-year deals before the start of the 2014 regular season.{{cite news

|url= https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10607888/agent-scott-boras-says-kendrys-morales-stephen-drew-willing-wait-long-term-deals

|title= Boras: Drew, Morales willing to wait

|author= Jerry Crasnick

|date= March 14, 2014

|periodical= ESPN}} That meant all three were again exposed to the draft pick compensation rules following the 2014 season. By waiting to sign, Drew and Morales avoided any draft pick compensation following the 2014 season.{{cite news

|url= http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/compensation-free-agents-may-hold-out-until-after-june-draft-022314

|title= Compensation free agents may hold out until after June draft

|author= Ken Rosenthal

|date= February 23, 2014

|periodical= Fox Sports}}

|url= http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/white-sox-sign-carlos-rodon-largest-bonus-2014-draft/

|title= White Sox Sign Carlos Rodon To Largest Bonus In 2014 Draft

|author= John Manuel

|date= July 10, 2014

|periodical= Baseball America}}

  • Boras also brokered deals for Jackson, Conforto, Fedde, and Chapman. Jackson received a $4,200,000 bonus to sign with the Mariners as the #6 selection, $624,100 above the "slot value."{{cite news

|url= http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24591892/report-mariners-agree-to-terms-with-sixth-overall-pick-alex-jackson

|title= Mariners agree to terms with sixth overall pick, Alex Jackson

|author= Matt Snyder

|date= June 18, 2014

|periodical= CBS Sports}} Conforto received $2,970,800 (exactly "slot value") from the Mets at #10.{{cite news

|url= http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24614209/mets-first-round-pick-conforto-hammer-out-deal-pending-physical

|title= Mets, first-round pick Conforto hammer out deal pending physical

|author= Jon Heyman

|date= July 10, 2014

|periodical= CBS Sports}} Fedde, who underwent Tommy John surgery just days before the draft, received $2,511,100 ($365,500 above slot value) from the Nationals at #18.{{cite news

|url= http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/18/nationals-sign-first-round-draft-pick-erick-fedde-/

|title= Nationals sign first-round draft pick Erick Fedde, but lose two other selections

|author= Brian McNally

|date= July 18, 2014

|periodical= Washington Times}} Chapman received $1,750,000 from the Oakland A's at #25.{{cite news

|url= http://www.mercurynews.com/athletics/ci_25953133/sign-matt-chapman-first-round-pick

|title= A's sign Matt Chapman, first-round pick

|author= John Hickey

|date= June 12, 2014

|periodical= San Jose Mercury News}}

=2015=

  • On January 19, 2015, Boras negotiated a 7-year, $210 million contract with the Washington Nationals for free agent Max Scherzer,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12190547/max-scherzer-closing-new-multiyear-contract|title=Reports: Scherzer, Nats agree on $210M deal|website=ESPN.go.com|date=January 18, 2015|access-date=October 28, 2017}} who turned down at least $144 million from the Detroit Tigers before the 2014 season.{{cite news

|url= https://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-max-scherzer-turning-down-insane-money-makes-perfect-sense-045448374.html

|title= Why Max Scherzer turning down insane money makes perfect sense

|author= Jeff Passan

|date= March 24, 2014

|periodical= Yahoo! Sports}} Boras helped Scherzer secure insurance against an injury suffered before free agency.{{cite news

|url= https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/big-league-stew/max-scherzer-takes-out-injury-insurance-policy-180411853.html

|title= Max Scherzer takes out insurance policy after turning down $144 million extension

|author= Mark Townsend

|date= June 8, 2014

|periodical= Yahoo! Sports}}

=2019=

  • On February 28, 2019, Boras negotiated what was at the time (until Mike Trout's contract extension broke the record 19 days later{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mike-trout-finalizing-12-year-430-million-extension-with-angels-report-says/|title=Mike Trout reaches record-breaking 12-year, $430 million extension with Angels|website=CBSSports.com|date=March 21, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-12}}) an MLB record 13-year, $330 million{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/28/bryce-harper-signs-a-record-breaking-330-mill-deal-with-the-phillies.html|title=Bryce Harper has signed a record-breaking $330 million 13-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies|last=Hess|first=Abigail|date=2019-02-28|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=2019-05-12}} contract with the Philadelphia Phillies for free agent Bryce Harper. This contract is not only significant for what was at the time record-breaking money, but the inclusion of a no-trade clause and no opt-out clauses,{{Cite web|url=https://calltothepen.com/2019/03/01/philadelphia-phillies-get-bryce-harper-commit-without-opt-outs/|title=Philadelphia Phillies get Bryce Harper to commit without opt-outs|last=ago|first=Ben Fadden 2 months|date=2019-03-01|website=Call to the Pen|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-12}} meaning Harper will play for the Phillies until 2031.
  • On December 2, 2019, third baseman Mike Moustakas signed a 4-year, $64 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/scott-boras-clients-give-agent-billion-dollar-offseason-after-hyun-jin-ryus-blue-jays-deal/|title=Scott Boras clients give agent billion-dollar offseason after Hyun-Jin Ryu's Blue Jays deal|website=CBSSports.com|date=December 23, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-12-28}}
  • On Monday, December 9, 2019, Boras negotiated what was at the time the largest contact for a pitcher in both total value and average annual value at $245 million over 7 years with the Washington Nationals for free agent Stephen Strasburg. The contract beat out David Price's $217 million contract in total value and Zack Greinke's $31.5 million per year contract in average annual value. The contract had a full no-trade clause and $80 million in deferred payments to be paid by 2029.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/stephen-strasburg-deal-with-nationals|title=Strasburg to Nationals on record 7-year deal|last=Footer|first=Alyson|website=MLB.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-12}}
  • Just a day later on December 10, 2019, Boras once again set records when he landed free agent Gerrit Cole a contract with the New York Yankees worth $324 million over 9 years. This contract became the largest ever given to a pitcher in terms of total salary and average annual value, at $36 million, beating out Stephen Strasburg, as well as the fourth largest contract in MLB history. The contract includes a full no-trade clause as well as a player option after the 2025 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/11/gerrit-cole-agrees-to-historic-324-million-deal-with-yankees-reports.html|title=Gerrit Cole agrees to historic $324 million deal with Yankees, reports say|website=CNBC|date=December 11, 2019}}
  • Just one day after that on December 11, Boras signed free agent third baseman Anthony Rendon to a 7-year, $245 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. With the signing, Boras had signed his clients to $814 million in contracts in just three days.
  • On December 21, starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel was signed to the White Sox for 3-year and $55.5 million.
  • Left-handed Korean starting pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu signed a 4-year, $80 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on December 27, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/hyun-jin-ryu-deal-with-blue-jays|title=Blue Jays announce 4-year deal with Ryu|website=MLB.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-28}} With the signing, Boras's clients had signed contracts totaling more than $1 billion ($1,013,500,000) in three weeks of December.

= 2021 =

  • On February 7, 2021, Albert Almora Jr. signed a 1-year, $1.25 million contract with the New York Mets.{{Cite web|title=Former Cubs outfielder Albert Almora signs with Mets|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/former-cubs-outfielder-albert-almora-signs-mets|access-date=2021-07-07|website=RSN|date=February 7, 2021 |language=en}}
  • On February 18, 2021, Trevor Rosenthal signed a 1-year, $11 million contract with the Oakland Athletics.{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Alex|date=2021-02-18|title=A's sign Trevor Rosenthal to one-year, $11 million contract|url=https://www.athleticsnation.com/2021/2/18/22289954/oakalnd-as-sign-trevor-rosenthal-free-agent-contract-salary|access-date=2021-07-07|website=Athletics Nation|language=en}}
  • On February 12, 2021, Jake Arrieta signed a 1-year, $6 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.{{Cite web|title=2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/mlb-free-agent-predictions-2021.html|access-date=2021-07-07|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=November 3, 2020 |language=en-US}}
  • On February 13, 2021, James Paxton signed a 1-year, $8.5 million contract with the Seattle Mariners.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-13|title=The Big Maple returns: James Paxton signs one-year deal to pitch for Mariners|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/the-big-maple-returns-james-paxton-signs-one-year-deal-to-pitch-for-mariners/|access-date=2021-07-07|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US}}
  • On March 8, 2021, Jackie Bradley Jr. signed a 2-year, $24 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.{{Cite web|title=Brewers, JBJ finalize 2-year deal|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jackie-bradley-jr-brewers-deal|access-date=2021-07-07|website=MLB.com|language=en}}
  • On March 24, 2021, Lance McCullers signed a 4-year, $84 million contract extension with the Houston Astros.{{Cite web|title=McCullers, Astros finalize 5-year extension|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/lance-mccullers-jr-extension-with-astros|access-date=2021-07-07|website=MLB.com|language=en}}
  • On November 28, 2021, Marcus Semien agreed to a 7-year, $175 million contract with the Texas Rangers.{{Cite web|title=Semien, Rangers agree to 7-yr. deal (source)|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/marcus-semien-rangers-deal|access-date=2021-11-28|website=MLB.com|language=en}}
  • On November 29, 2021, Max Scherzer agreed to a 3-year, $130 million contract with the New York Mets with an opt-out after 2023.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/report-mets-agree-to-deal-with-max-scherzer-make-biggest-splash-in-mlb-spending-frenzy-171122252.html|title=Yahoo Sports Report: Mets agree to record-smashing 3-year, $130M deal with Max Scherzer|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|first=Zach|last=Crizer|date=November 29, 2021|access-date=March 12, 2022}}
  • On November 29, 2021, Corey Seager agreed to a 10-year, $325 million contract with the Texas Rangers.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/11/29/texas-rangers-corey-seager-contract-free-agency-former-world-series-mvp|title=Report: Rangers Agree to 10-Year, $325 Million Deal With SS Corey Seager|publisher=Sports Illustrated|first=Nick|last=Selbe|date=November 29, 2021|access-date=March 12, 2022}}
  • On November 30, 2021, James Paxton agreed to a 1-year, $10 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.{{cite web|url=https://www.overthemonster.com/2021/12/1/22811685/red-sox-news-james-paxton-contract-free-agency-rumors-injury-tommy-john-rotation|title=Red Sox sign James Paxton to one-year deal|publisher=SB Nation|first=Matt|last=Collins|date=December 1, 2021|access-date=March 12, 2022}}

= 2022 =

  • On March 11, 2022, Carlos Rodón agreed to a 2-year, $44 million contract with the San Francisco Giants with an opt-out after 2022.{{cite web | url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/03/11/carlos-rodon-giants-agree-2-year-44-million-free-agent-deal/7006240001/ | title=Carlos Rodon, Giants agree to two-year, $44 million deal, kicking off post-lockout free agent rush }}
  • On March 12, 2022, Yusei Kikuchi agreed to a 3-year, $36 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/reports-blue-jays-sign-pitcher-yusei-kikuchi-to-three-year-36m-deal/|title=Blue Jays agree to three-year, $36M deal with pitcher Yusei Kikuchi|publisher=SportsNet Canada|first=Shi|last=Davidi|date=March 12, 2022|access-date=March 12, 2022}}
  • On March 12, 2022, José Iglesias agreed to a 1-year, $5 million contract with the Colorado Rockies.{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/2315405|title=Report: Rockies, Iglesias agree to 1-year, $5M deal|publisher=The Score|first=Josh|last=Goldberg|date=March 12, 2022|accessdate=December 8, 2022}}
  • On March 13, 2022, Ian Kennedy agreed to a 1-year, $4.75 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33521215/veteran-pitcher-ian-kennedy-37-rejoins-arizona-diamondbacks-one-year-475-million-deal|title=Veteran pitcher Ian Kennedy, 37, rejoins Arizona Diamondbacks with 1-year, $4.75 million deal|publisher=ESPN|date=March 16, 2022|accessdate=December 8, 2022}}
  • On March 16, 2022, Kris Bryant agreed to a 7-year, $182 million contract with the Colorado Rockies.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/03/17/rockies-kris-bryant-contract-repeat-history|title=Rockies Repeat History, Seemingly Expecting a Different Result|publisher=Sports Illustrated|first=Nick|last=Selbe|date=March 17, 2022|accessdate=December 8, 2022}}
  • On March 18, 2022, Carlos Correa agreed to a 3-year, $105.3 million contract with the Minnesota Twins with opt-outs after 2022 and 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33543369/sources-carlos-correa-minnesota-twins-agree-3-year-1053-million-deal-opt-outs|title=Sources: Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins agree to 3-year, $105.3 million deal with opt-outs|publisher=ESPN|date=March 18, 2022|accessdate=December 8, 2022}}
  • On December 6, 2022, Josh Bell agreed to a 2-year, $33 million contract with the Cleveland Guardians with an opt-out after 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35197807/1b-josh-bell-guardians-agree-two-year-deal-sources-say|title=1B Josh Bell, Guardians agree on two-year deal, sources say|publisher=ESPN|first=Jeff|last=Passan|date=December 6, 2022|accessdate=December 7, 2022}}
  • On December 6, 2022, Cody Bellinger agreed to a 1-year, $17.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35198596/sources-cubs-cody-bellinger-reach-1-year-175m-deal|title=Sources: Cubs, Cody Bellinger reach 1-year, $17.5M deal|publisher=ESPN|first=Jesse|last=Rogers|date=December 6, 2022|accessdate=December 7, 2022}}
  • On December 6, 2022, Taijuan Walker agreed to a 4-year, $72 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/12/07/phillies-taijuan-walker-agree-to-four-year-contract-per-report|title=Phillies, Taijuan Walker Agree to Four-Year Contract, per Report|publisher=Sports Illustrated|first=Wilton|last=Jackson|date=December 6, 2022|accessdate=December 7, 2022}}
  • On December 7, 2022, Masataka Yoshida agreed to a 4-year, $90 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. Yoshida's posting fee was $15.4 million.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10058022-masataka-yoshida-red-sox-reportedly-agree-to-5-year-90m-contract|title=Masataka Yoshida, Red Sox Reportedly Agree to 5-Year, $90M Contract|publisher=Bleacher Report|first=Timothy|last=Rapp|date=December 7, 2022|accessdate=December 7, 2022}}
  • On December 7, 2022, Xander Bogaerts agreed to an 11-year, $280 million contract with the San Diego Padres.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/xander-bogaerts-and-padres-agree-on-an-11-year-contract-worth-280-million-per-reports/|title=Xander Bogaerts and Padres agree on an 11-year contract worth $280 million, per reports|work=CBS Sports|first=Mike|last=Axisa|date=December 7, 2022|accessdate=December 7, 2022}}
  • On December 8, 2022, Brandon Nimmo agreed to an 8-year, $162 million contract with the New York Mets.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-free-agency-brandon-nimmo-returns-to-mets-on-8-year-162-million-deal-015109076.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACYj9p5GYhhhhhGB5hm73wbL8zViRzLBwATu7yRS6Db4Xda3MotRfViwUdJwV2FNhtW84q4k-mdtIMpHKEv3xsi6_WkgU6-xuNLDKxFcmqgQ0bBrT-5BK0AQi_R_vQNN9fN10vlingqsDMyw-PSsWQmxrFgy7YJ21faDjNRBN__6|title=MLB free agency: Brandon Nimmo returns to Mets on 8-year, $162 million deal|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|first=Jack|last=Baer|date=December 8, 2022|accessdate=December 8, 2022}}
  • On December 11, 2022, Sean Manaea agreed to a 2-year, $25 million contract with the San Francisco Giants with an opt-out after 2023.
  • On December 15, 2022, Carlos Rodón agreed to a 6-year, $162 million contract with the New York Yankees.
  • On December 16, 2022, Joey Gallo agreed to a 1-year, $11 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.
  • On December 17, 2022, Austin Hedges agreed to a 1-year, $5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
  • On December 23, 2022, Michael Conforto agreed to a 2-year, $36 million contract with the San Francisco Giants with an opt-out after 2023.

= 2023 =

  • On January 10, Carlos Correa agreed to a six-year, $200 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.
  • On December 12, Jung-hoo Lee agreed to a six-year, $113 million contract with the San Francisco Giants with an opt-out after 2027. Lee's posting fee was $18.825 million.{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/5139416/2023/12/15/giants-jung-hoo-lee-contract-korea/|title=Breaking down the Giants' $132 million bet on Jung Hoo Lee: 'They paid for his ceiling'

|website=theathletic.com|publisher=The Athletic|first=Andrew|last=Baggarly|date=December 15, 2023|accessdate=December 29, 2023}}

  • On December 30, Frankie Montas agreed to a one-year, $16 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/reds-to-sign-frankie-montas.html|title=Reds To Sign Frankie Montas|website=mlbtraderumors.com|publisher=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Mark|last=Polishuk|date=December 30, 2023|accessdate=December 31, 2023}}

= 2024 =

  • On January 7, Sean Manaea agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract with the New York Mets with an opt-out after 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/sean-manaea-mets-deal|title=Mets, Manaea agree on two-year deal (report)|website=mlb.com|publisher=MLB|first=Joe|last=Trezza|date=January 7, 2024|accessdate=January 7, 2024}}
  • On January 23, Joey Gallo agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Washington Nationals.
  • On January 23, Rhys Hoskins agreed to a two-year, $34 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers with an opt-out after 2024.
  • On February 25, Cody Bellinger agreed to a three-year, $80 million contract with the Chicago Cubs with opt-outs after 2024 and 2025.
  • On March 1, Matt Chapman agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract with the San Francisco Giants with opt-outs after 2024 and 2025.
  • On March 18, Blake Snell agreed to a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants with an opt-out after 2024.
  • On September 4, Matt Chapman agreed to a six-year, $151 million contract extension with the San Francisco Giants.
  • On November 26, Blake Snell agreed to a five-year, $182 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
  • On December 8, Juan Soto agreed to a fifteen-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. The deal is currently the largest in professional sports. {{Cite web |date=2024-12-09 |title=Sources: Mets land Soto on 15-year, $765M deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42864917/sources-mets-land-juan-soto-15-year-765m-deal |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
  • On December 8, Michael Conforto agreed to a one-year, $17 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
  • On December 27, Corbin Burnes agreed to a six-year, $210 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks with an opt-out after 2026.

References

{{reflist|3}}

External links

{{baseballstats| brm=boras-001sco}}

  • [http://www.borascorp.com Boras Corporation website]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20060104001149/http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Boras_Scott.stm Scott Boras] at Baseball Library

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