Boras hints at Cole signing sooner than later
Agent for top free-agent pitcher sees market being more competitive during this offseason
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Scott Boras stopped short of the six television cameras awaiting his arrival. Armed with analytics and an array of analogies, he summoned a swath of reporters underneath a small umbrella.
Both of baseball’s offseason gatherings — this week’s general managers’ meetings and December’s winter meetings — contain an impromptu scrum with the sport’s most powerful agent. Boras often offers something of a state of the union, bemoaning tanking franchises and what he perceives as overall uncompetitiveness. “Competitive hibernation,” he termed it.
Boras is a master of the metaphor. At first mention of his most sought-after client, Boras boasted a smile. He paused, collected his thoughts and ensured the delivery was as he intended.
“Probably, if this were major league Christmas,” Boras said, “we’d be looking at 30 stockings that would clearly want a lump of Cole.”
Any team in pursuit of pitching will consider Gerrit Cole, the Astros’ Cy Young runner-up who will command a contract that could shatter average annual value and total worth records for a starting pitcher.
Negotiating Cole’s future is Boras, the 67-year-old agent who represents some of the game’s most transcendent talents. Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow met with members of Boras’ team this week in Scottsdale, but such interactions are expected at events like this.
Drawing any grand conclusions is unwise.
“The only thing I can say is the competition for all the pitchers is very aggressive,” said Boras, who also represents free agent and former Astros Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel. “Probably the most aggressive I’ve seen. Because we have really aggressive pitchers in the marketplace.”
Cole has always been open to a reunion with the Astros. Boras said Wednesday that Cole had a “very positive feel” for the team and city of Houston.
A native of Newport Beach, Calif., Cole has a well-known affinity for his home.
The Angels, who play in a ballpark Cole grew up attending, have made starting pitching a priority. Boras owns a suite at Angels Stadium and is a constant presence. On Wednesday, Boras revealed he’d recently gone to lunch with Angels owner Arte Moreno, with whom he was reported to have a difficult working relationship.
“I don’t think geography matters to any of these guys as much as what matters is the continuance of winning and being able to achieve their goal of getting that rare win,” Boras said.
“I think in Gerrit’s case, when you’re that close (to a World Series), you’re really looking at this process as one of ‘I’ve got this box to check, and I want to go out and put together the best effort to put me in that position to do that.’ ”
Whether an Astros reunion with Cole is a legitimate or financially feasible option remains a mystery. Houston is close to the $208 million luxury tax threshold and has more than $145 million committed to its returning players on guaranteed contracts. Cole will command a contract that almost certainly tops David Price’s record-setting six-year, $217 million deal in 2016.
Still, Astros owner Jim Crane said last week his team will “make a run” at re-signing the 29-yearold ace. In the same interview, he labeled Boras as “tough to deal with.”
Boras’ most memorable work with the Astros front office is Jose Altuve’s five-year, $151 million extension during the 2018 offseason. At the time, it was the richest contract in franchise history. Cole’s potential deal will almost certainly surpass that — maybe by $100 million.
Luhnow has made it known he wants to add at least two veteran starters this winter. He also must find two catchers and bolster his bullpen.
“Whenever you’re talking about a premium free agent that’s going to require a substantial investment of money and years, it doesn’t matter what team you are, you’ve got to figure out a way to make it work,” Luhnow said. “You’re going to have to go beyond comfort zones in terms of payroll and opportunities for other players and so on and so forth. I would never rule anything out. I think there’s always a way.”
Decisions by Boras’ players can dictate the pace of a sometimes slogging offseason. He represents the best pitcher (Cole) and position player (Anthony Rendon) in this free-agent market. His most ballyhooed client last winter — Bryce Harper — did not sign with the Phillies until Feb. 28. The interim was part of a monotonous, uninteresting offseason that seems to be the new normal.
Boras expressed hope that this winter will differ. Competition in the starting pitching market is “as aggressive as I’ve ever seen,” he said. A report he read Wednesday morning irked him.
“I heard today that Gerrit Cole wasn’t signing until January,” Boras said. “I have no idea who said that or why. It’s completely inaccurate.”
Christmas, after all, is in December.