What Is Scott Boras Thinking Letting Four Premier MLB Clients Go Unsigned In Free Agency?

Spring training is well underway, and there are four big name free agents that have yet to sign with new teams.

And they have one thing in common: their agent is Scott Boras. 

Boras represents Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery and Matt Chapman. Not one of them, despite their track records and in some cases, outstanding 2023 seasons, has agreed to a new deal. Weeks ago, it was reasonable to wonder why Snell and Bellinger, widely viewed as top of the top five available players in free agency, hadn't signed yet.

READ: What The Heck Is Happening With Unsigned MLB Free Agents Blake Snell And Cody Bellinger?

Well, even more weeks have gone by, and there's little to no movement towards a contract for either. Chapman and Montgomery have seen even less interest. Which raises the obvious question: What in the world is Scott Boras thinking? 

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 25: Blake Snell #4 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates July 25, 2023 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Scott Boras Hurting His Players With Free Agency Delays?

There's nothing wrong with players and agents chasing down every possible dollar. Free agency is generally the one time in a baseball player's career they're able to secure a salary and long-term contract commensurate with what they're worth.

But Boras, in doing so with these specific players, may have unwittingly hurt their ability to get the best possible deal. All four players have obvious flaws or future question marks, despite their generally stellar track records. 

Snell was a bit lucky last year to end up with the ERA he did, pitchers over 30 have questionable long term health prospects, and his struggles with control can always spiral quickly. Bellinger is a former MVP, but is also just two years removed from a .165 batting average in 2021. Montgomery just had the best season of his career in 2023, but is viewed as a #3 or back end starter, while likely chasing after front end starter money. Matt Chapman has never again reached his 2018-2019 offensive peak, sinking to just 17 home runs last year with a .330 on base percentage. 

Long story short, there are plenty of reasons for teams to be skeptical about the near and long term futures for each of these four players. And each could probably have benefited from an agent willing to find them new teams early in the offseason, before big spending teams went after more desirable targets.

Some teams also may be stuck with reduced budgets thanks to television rights revenue uncertainty. But Boras prefers to play a waiting game, hoping that teams get desperate for help as the season approaches. Turns out this offseason, the players he represents may be getting desperate. Especially for Snell and Montgomery, considering pitchers need more time to ramp up.

It's too late to alter course now, but the so-called "Boras Four" might wish he had changed course a few months ago.