Comments on: Is Scott Boras That Good of an Agent? http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2007/10/is-scott-boras-that-good-of-an-agent/ Economic Thinking about Baseball Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:16:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: EMan http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2007/10/is-scott-boras-that-good-of-an-agent/comment-page-1/#comment-64705 EMan Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:13:33 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2007/10/is-scott-boras-that-good-of-an-agent/#comment-64705 As someone who has worked in baseball for 20+ years, I can tell you that Boras is great at prevaricating, whether the context is arbitration hearings or contract negotiations. Maybe others would call it bluffing, but it is what is. As someone who has worked in baseball for 20+ years, I can tell you that Boras is great at prevaricating, whether the context is arbitration hearings or contract negotiations. Maybe others would call it bluffing, but it is what is.

]]> By: Tom Kellum http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2007/10/is-scott-boras-that-good-of-an-agent/comment-page-1/#comment-64063 Tom Kellum Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:27:13 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2007/10/is-scott-boras-that-good-of-an-agent/#comment-64063 The ability to attract good clients is what separates successful trial lawyers from others in that profession. Just like with sports agents such as Mr. Boras. The ability to attract good clients is what separates
successful trial lawyers from others in that profession. Just like with sports agents such as Mr. Boras.

]]> By: pawnking http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2007/10/is-scott-boras-that-good-of-an-agent/comment-page-1/#comment-63343 pawnking Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:41:19 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2007/10/is-scott-boras-that-good-of-an-agent/#comment-63343 I have often wondered at the fact that Boras is sometimes vilified by writers. He's representing kids with high-school educations against billionaires and corporations with teams of lawyers. And he’s the bad guy? I wish I had such a friend when I was in my 20s and wondering how to ask my boss for a raise. As I’ve gotten older, it’s gotten easier, but it’s always been tough even for someone grounded in economics and accounting like me. I have often wondered at the fact that Boras is sometimes vilified by writers. He’s representing kids with high-school educations against billionaires and corporations with teams of lawyers. And he’s the bad guy? I wish I had such a friend when I was in my 20s and wondering how to ask my boss for a raise. As I’ve gotten older, it’s gotten easier, but it’s always been tough even for someone grounded in economics and accounting like me.

]]> By: Marc Schneider http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2007/10/is-scott-boras-that-good-of-an-agent/comment-page-1/#comment-63311 Marc Schneider Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:26:32 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2007/10/is-scott-boras-that-good-of-an-agent/#comment-63311 JC, I think that's a real good point. Boras is no better than the players he represents. He basically represents stars or players that have high leverage, eg, starting pitchers. How good would he be if he represented marginal middle infielders? People complain that Boras is responsible for running up salaries but it's not Boras--it's simple supply and demand economics. Demand for great baseball players is greater than the supply. Boras may have the ability to extract some extra dollars by his willingness to play hardball but all of these guys would make a lot of money regardless of who represents them or even if they represented themselves. Salaries have gone up because revenues have gone up. JC, I think that’s a real good point. Boras is no better than the players he represents. He basically represents stars or players that have high leverage, eg, starting pitchers. How good would he be if he represented marginal middle infielders?

People complain that Boras is responsible for running up salaries but it’s not Boras–it’s simple supply and demand economics. Demand for great baseball players is greater than the supply. Boras may have the ability to extract some extra dollars by his willingness to play hardball but all of these guys would make a lot of money regardless of who represents them or even if they represented themselves. Salaries have gone up because revenues have gone up.

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