CHICAGO — Scott Boras often questions the motives of MLB ownership groups and their perceived unwillingness to compensate or pursue his baseball clients.
But the agent was pleased that Major League Baseball reached an agreement with the players association — with one exception — that would institute new rules if the 2020 season is shortened or canceled.
“Between the parties, with the exception of one treatment in the draft area, this was very mutually understood,” Boras told the “Waddle and Silvy” show Friday on ESPN-AM 1000. “And I don’t think there’s any benefit or detriment that anybody wanted to enforce upon one another when they were trying to reach a resolution to this. I think everyone did a very competent job of reaching a resolution.”
Although Boras didn’t elaborate on his lone issue during the ESPN interview, he later told several outlets that he wasn’t pleased with rules included in the deal that could limit the 2020 draft from 40 rounds to five and reduce signing-bonus payouts to 10% of the total (with the remaining 90% to be paid in successive years).
Boras expressed hope the regular season would start, although he seemed unclear when that would occur because of uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“From what I’ve heard from (scientists), yes, I am (optimistic),” Boras said. “I’m very optimum on that. But the length of the season and when it will begin, obviously, is within a time frame that even for the best of scientific evaluators, it’s a bit premature.
“We have to get through the surge. Once we get through the surge and we get through the numbers, the scientists will be able to give us firmer direction on the cause and effect of the virus in our country.”
Boras reiterated that client and All-Star slugger Kris Bryant remains open to staying with the Cubs. But Boras stressed the value of his star client, who is eligible for free agency after 2021.
“First of all, Kris Bryant is rare,” Boras said. “When you look back at the number of players who have a lifetime .900 OPS record after four to five years in the league, and then you look at the number of players who can play at the major league level four or five positions in addition to that, guess how many players you end up with? And the answer is you end up with one.
“The value of Kris Bryant is extraordinary because in today’s world with versatility and how they utilize lineups, we all know he’s an extraordinary player. Secondarily, Kris has always said, and he said it in spring training this year, he enjoys Chicago. He enjoys the Cubs, and he’s all ears as to what they may want to do to continuing their relationship.
“We’re certainly here to listen. Kris has let them know he’s available to listen, and it’s really the job of the ownership of the Cubs and (President) Theo Epstein as to when they want to advance that and discuss it.”
In each of the last two seasons, Epstein has tried to reach long-term deals with Bryant and several other core players.
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