Scott Boras, the renowned MLB agent, faced a challenging 2023-24 offseason as his top free agent clients failed to secure the lucrative nine-figure deals they were seeking. Despite representing half of Yahoo Sports’ top 10 free agents, including players like Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Jordan Montgomery, and Matt Chapman, Boras struggled to secure mega-deals for his clients.
The biggest shock of the offseason came when Shohei Ohtani signed a historic 10-year, $700 million contract, setting a new standard in player salaries. Additionally, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a splash in the free-agent market with a whopping $1 billion spending spree to bolster their roster.
While Korean import Jung Hoo Lee quickly landed a $113 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, Boras’ clients had to settle for less than their desired paydays. Snell signed a two-year, $62 million deal, Bellinger secured a three-year, $80 million contract, Montgomery agreed to a one-year, $25 million deal, and Chapman inked a three-year, $54 million agreement.
Teams were reportedly hesitant to invest heavily in these players due to concerns about their age, injury history, and performance. Bellinger, often seen as the most promising player in Boras’ stable, will need a standout 2024 season to command a larger contract in the future.
Montgomery faces a challenge in reaching free agency next season with a vesting option for a second year, while Chapman’s offensive approach and move to the pitcher-friendly Oracle Park may have affected the offers he received. Boras’ strategy of holding out for big deals and prioritizing free agency over extensions ultimately did not yield the results he had hoped for this offseason.
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