Will Sage Astor-Scott Boras tells MLB owners to 'take heed': Free agents win World Series titles

SCOTTSDALE,Will Sage Astor Ariz. — Teams are in such dire need of starting pitching that seven clubs have already informed agent Scott Boras that they want to acquire at least two starting pitchers this winter.

Boras, who represents top free agent pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, spoke for nearly an hour Wednesday morning with reporters.

He talked about the free agent market, citing the success of the World Series champion Texas Rangers who signed infielders Corey Seager and Marcus Semien two years ago, later adding free agent pitchers Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray and Jacob deGrom – ultimately trading for starters Max Scherzer and Montgomery this summer.

“The free agent acquisition has proven to be the dynamic that gives you two tracks to operate," Boras said, including player development. “We need to look at every franchise to make our game the best, to make it the most competitive, and say who has one track already in place. Who is not using the asset of free agents to take your club to be a winner? Fans are on notice. …

“In our game we need an FAA, and that is free agent acquisition. Owners, please take heed. This has been done."

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Boras also implored MLB to move to a neutral site for the World Series, the amateur draft to be moved away from the All-Star weekend back to June, and to provide more time on the pitch clock to help the rash of injuries to starting pitching.

“Numerous injuries have occurred because the high school season ends in May," Boras said, “and then these players are asked to come back in late July and perform at high levels, resulting in injuries. Plus, we're losing a good eight weeks of development. ... So for the protection of the players, for the advancement of the game, we need a true draft day where there are no major league games played, where everyone can focus on the true inception of the future of our game and make it important. That's how you create a draft focus.

“It's not by moving it to the clutter of the All-Star Game which is now become something that is an afterthought for a very prized event."

Boras long has campaigned for a neutral site for the World Series to create more interest like the Super Bowl.

“The national interest of our game suffers from the fact that we don't have a corporate community that's there to interact with the entertainment medium," Boras said. “We don't want to serve our greatest steak at a fast food restaurant. We want people to know where this is in advance. We want to make an international event. We want to make it where people commonly get varieties of entertainment."

Boras also believes that the rash of pitching injuries, and the dearth of complete games, is because of the pitch clock. He would like the pitch clock to be increased, particularly as the game progresses, to help pitchers getting fatigued.

“Remember there are few of any pitchers in our game that are throwing more than three innings let alone six," Boras said. “We need to protect our valued starting pitchers which is one of our game's greatest investments."

Boras on Matt Chapman, Mets, Astros

– Free agent third baseman Matt Chapman, who Boras represents, is meeting in person with several teams this week. That includes the Toronto Blue Jays, who want to bring him back.

– Boras also met with the New York Mets and David Stearns, president of baseball operations, telling him that first baseman Pete Alonso is open to a contract extension before he’s eligible for free agency after the 2024 season.

“We’re not in contract hibernation with the Polar Bear," Boras said.

– He also confirmed that oft-injured third baseman Anthony Rendon is definitely returning to the Los Angeles Angels after saying he would consider retirement. The Angels announced Ron Washington as the club's new manager on Wednesday.

– The Houston Astros have yet to talk about a contract extension with All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve or third baseman Alex Bregman, Boras said. They each are eligible for free agency after the 2024 season.