If you were a baseball player, would you want Boras to be your agent?

[Glen]

Feel free to explain your answer.

[floplag]

No, i would want someone who cares about my needs, not his own. 

[Stradling]

Man this is such a tough question.  I will answer it like this.  If he were my agent he would work for me, so I would tell him to get me the best deal he can with a short list of teams, while having the actual team in mind that I want to play for and if that team is in the same ballpark financially then I want to go there.  Oh and get me that deal by December 15th so I can have it wrapped up before Christmas.  

[Second Base]

I would serve as my own representation.  Teams tend to be more guarded in their valuations and words around players, but are typically brutally honest with agents.  I'd want to sign with a team that sees ways in which I can improve, and is on the West Coast.  If that didn't come around, then I'd want to better understand why, and rather than going through a third party to get this sort of news, I'd want to cut out the middle man and handle it myself. 

Also, no commission. 

[wopphil]

Probably not. I am risk averse, and Boras is a risk taker. We therefore probably wouldn't be the best match. Also, money isn't my highest priority in an employment relationship, whereas I think it is Boras'.

[Fish Oil]

I'm in my mid-fifties and fat.

If anyone could get me a contract it would be Boras. Sign me up.

[Tank]

i think i might hire a reputable agent when i first get drafted and for the first contract or two, but at some point i'd want to do it on my own.

i also agree with the "no commission" idea.

[Dtwncbad]

Having Boras as your agent doesn't mean you must have no control.

Every player is different.

I think you can use his skills to your benefit along the while spectrum of how much control you want to give him.

The only real question is what level of player are we talking about?  I think sometimes the average or below average player might not get the amount of attention they need when these superagents are distracted with the elite player contracts. 

[Jeremiah]

I would. I don’t think I’d be able to negotiate my own deal as I don’t have the legal background to understand all of the ins and outs of contract laws. He’s as good as they come with regard to player agents.

[Jeremiah]

I think the idea that Boras (or any agent) is only looking out for his own interests gets way overplayed. The MLBPA is pretty strong. If any agent was found to not be working in the client’s best interests, that agent would be decertified pretty quickly.

[mancini79]

Boras works for the player and what THEY want. Weaver wanted to stay an Angel and Boras worked out a deal.

When Adenhart passed, he was front and center at the press conference. Guy was seriously heart broken at the loss of Nick, and not the potential money.

Boras is great and getting what the player wants. Of course I would have him represent me. I know he will take the heat if I wanted to play for a different organization.

[HaloNArizona]

I voted NO....

Also, and I was talking about this last night, I wouldn't be looking to be the richest guy on my team.  If I was a Trout or Harper or other super stars...I would want the best chance to win.  Winning doesn't mean I am the highest paid.  Winning means fielding a competitive team year in and year out.  Also, guys like Gwynn and Salmon who played for one team their entire career...I respect that more than chasing the dollar.

[halomatt]

This is why, in my perfect world, I would hire Scott Boras. 

Someday....

[Pancake Bear]

It would depend on what it was exactly that I wanted, I guess. The most money regardless of location or how good the team was, or if I was interested in staying with my current team. The latter will limit your options and, subsequently, how much you'll get paid, but you don't need Boras to get that. You hire him if you want the most cash.

[Troll Daddy]

[Lou]

Yes.

[Stradling]

Anyone blaming Boras is a silly. 

[Vegas Halo Fan]

My answer is different now than it would have been, say, five years ago. Once upon a time, he got the best deals for his clients. In recent years he has been more prone to misjudge the market, and teams are less gullible and less likely to engage in a bidding war when he bluffs that more teams are suddenly interested.

[arch stanton]

I said no because I don't like the idea of making this a whole winter-long affair. I'd more likely be that guy who's signed before Thanksgiving and not heard from again until ST

[eligrba]

Why would anyone want their agent to have greater media exposure than them-self?

A competent agent and a slaughter of attorneys will get any player the best deal available.  We will never know the truth but I would wager that Harper's deal at the end of this ridiculous Borass-driven MTV show will not be much different than offers made last month.  Incompetence and arrogance can be parlayed to the general public in many ways to convince the masses that a genius is at work

[Stradling]

Representing oneself in negotiations sounds like a fools errand.  At the very least they are going to tell you why you aren’t worth what your asking for.   That can’t possibly lead to a better relationship especially when you factor in the confidence level a professional athlete most maintain.  Also the agent more than likely can’t get you back more than you’d pay the agent.  Not to mention the experience level an agent would have negotiating deal after deal.  You on the other hand would have just personal experience.   

[Jay]

I don't see why not, Boras is the #1 guy in baseball.

 

[mancini79]

9 hours ago, arch stanton said:

I said no because I don't like the idea of making this a whole winter-long affair. I'd more likely be that guy who's signed before Thanksgiving and not heard from again until ST

If Boras represented you while expressing your desire to be signed by Thanksgiving, he would get it done.

[arch stanton]

2 minutes ago, mancini79 said:

If Boras represented you while expressing your desire to be signed by Thanksgiving, he would get it done.

Maybe but it’s not his MO

[eligrba]

20 hours ago, Second Base said:

I would serve as my own representation.  Teams tend to be more guarded in their valuations and words around players, but are typically brutally honest with agents.  I'd want to sign with a team that sees ways in which I can improve, and is on the West Coast.  If that didn't come around, then I'd want to better understand why, and rather than going through a third party to get this sort of news, I'd want to cut out the middle man and handle it myself. 

Also, no commission. 

Someone who represents them-self in a legal arena has a fool for a client.....so I am told.