LAS VEGAS — Prominent baseball agent Scott Boras, who once again represents several of the marquee players in this year’s free agent class, insisted that no team has expressed hesitation spending this winter market of the potential work stoppage after the 2026 season.
“Historically, we haven’t seen that because teams always want to be their best,’ Boras said. “The bottom line is that teams understand they don’t have to pay players when there are strikes. Our industry over the years, I have never seen the momentum, the international footprint that we have now placed on baseball. …
“We’re doing really, really well our media rights, our media ratings were double that of the NBA championship with the World Series, which says a lot about how we negotiate, knowing that we make half of the NBA and media rights. Something says that we ought to reconsider our methodology as to how we approach it, because the product and the flow of the game has never been better.
“So as far as what they do to continue that flow, I would suggest that the parties understand that the real value and rights in this game is about what media rights the league receives.’
Boras spent 40 minutes extolling the virtues of his free agents and said the Detroit Tigers will keep Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal instead of trading him this winter with one year remaining in free agency. Boras also reiterated they would be open to signing a contract extension, although the price tag certainly would exceed $400 million.
“All we know is that the fans in Detroit want the Tigers to build the Tarik barrack,’ Boras said. “Obviously, everywhere they go, they know it’s Skubal Day, they understand that that that organization is substantially different if he’s not there. And, you know, when you’re in these situations and you go through … and the player hears from the fans, and it’s kind of like it should be ‘Skooby-Done’ not Skooby-Doo.’
Boras also expressed anxiety with MLB’s relationship with gambling sites, saying he’s worried that fans could question the integrity of the game after Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted on charges of accepting money to deliberately throw balls instead of strikes on several pitchers.
“I think for players, the concern they have is the integrity,’ Boras said, “where they don’t want to be questioned. What creates question is when a player is out on the mound now, and he is sitting there, and he overthrows a pitch, and it goes 55 feet, you wonder. So you have to create a system that does not allow for such events where they can wage a bet on. You have to remove those prop bets to make sure that the integrity for the players aren’t questioned.’
Here is Boras’ rundown of his top free agents:
Cody Bellinger, outfielder, New York Yankees:
Bellinger opted out of the final $25 million in his contract, and would like to return to the Yankees, where the interest is mutual.
“Really, he’s the only five-tool free agent outfielder,’ Boras said, taking a swipe at free-agent right fielder Kyle Tucker, who’s expected to be the highest-paid this winter. “And when you look at the ‘25 season, I’d say among all the free agent outfielders, he was the top gun of the class. You know, he was certainly a versatile viper, playing both first base, all three outfield positions, and it was kind of offensively a middle lineup Merlin, in the sense that he felt that providing power and production.
“The other thing about Belly is he was kind of unique for a guy his age, under 30, that he’s played in all three markets, LA, Chicago, New York and so really, in many ways, he’s an urban fabric. … When it comes to Bellinger, there’s no question that the teams that have a need, they need to have Belly proceed.’
When asked if Bellinger’s chances of returning to the Yankees could be affected by center fielder Trent Grisham’s decision to accept or reject the $22.05 million qualifying offer, Boras insisted there would be no impact.
“I think the Yankees are looking to improve,’’ Boras said, “not subtract. So since Grisham and Bellinger were both on the team in that year…[no].’’
Alex Bregman, third baseman, Boston Red Sox
Bregman opted out of the final two years, $80 million in his contract. He would like to return to Boston, but the Tigers, who made a strong push for him in free agency last year, also lurk.
“Certainly prior to ‘25 Boston has been a kind of a club that’s been dunking well below the playoff line. So I think it was a bad roast in Beantown,’ Boras said. ‘Give the owners credit in ’25, they went out spent some star bucks to bring in a Bregman blend that led them to the playoffs. So I’m sure the Boston fans don’t want this to be just a cup of coffee, and no one wants a ‘Breg-xit’ ….
“When it comes to leadership, I don’t know of any starting [active] position player that has been in the postseason eight consecutive years. … Bregman went in there with a lot of young players, and in a situation where they were finishing last in their division, and he went in there and created a culture.’
Pete Alonso, first baseman, New York Mets:
Alonso opted out of the one-year, $25 million left on his contract. He would love to spend his entire career with the Mets, but the Mets didn’t sign him until the eve of spring training last year, and are showing no urgency in signing him to a long-term deal now.
“The one thing I think Pete understands that playing in New York is not something most can do,’ Boras said, “to become a star-level player in New York. I think the New York fans recognize it, and they’ve been very, very outward and appreciative of him. He’s an ideal franchise player, plays every day, and it’s clear that the New York fans relate to somebody who is workman-like.’
Max Scherzer, starter, Toronto Blue Jays
Scherzer, 41 signed a one-year, $15.5 million contract last year with the Blue Jays.
Scherzer is expected to sign another one-year, deal, and has not expressed any desire to soon retire.
“I mean, when it’s coming out at 95-96 [mph], and when you go into the playoffs and do what he did,’ Boras said, “it’s really, you know, Maximilian. … it’s not about chronological age to him, it’s about what he can do for a team, what he does in a locker room, the respect he has in the game. He is a remarkably committed performer. … I would expect that he’ll pitch as long as he’s competitive.’
Dylan Cease, starter, San Diego Padres
Cease is expected to be heavily pursued by the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta. “Cease is someone that you go and look at pitchers that can give you 30-plus starts five years in a row, and other than Dylan, they cease to exist. He’s a 200-strikeout guy, a very rare guy in the market. And unlike the other famous Dylan, you know, this one is exclusively electric.’’
Zac Gallen, starter, Arizona Diamondbacks
Gallen is expected to reject his qualifying offer and hit the open market. He’s from Philadelphia, embraces the pressure of pitching back East, and is expected to be strongly pursued by the Mets and possibly the Yankees.
“You really learn after being in these rooms that that the availability of starting pitchers is pint size,’ Boras said. “So we know that a lot of teams are going to be 14-gallon, and so there’s no amount of truth to the idea that Gallen couldn’t fill up a rotation.’
Ranger Suarez, starter, Philadelphia Phillies
Suarez is expected to be one of the highest-paid starters on the open market with teams like the Toronto Blue Jays salivating for a chance to sign him.
“There’s no doubt that anyone that that looks at the playoffs, the last three, four years,’ Boras said, “that Suarez’s playoff quality is, well, frankly, the Lone Ranger in that category. So if you’re interested in acquiring a postseason pitcher that has proven himself, I would suggest you don’t want to miss the Suarez postseason soiree.’
Nick Martinez, starter/reliever, Cincinnati Reds
Martinez was the only player who accepted the $21.05 million qualifying qualifying offer last year from the Reds and will be free of a qualifying offer this time around.
“I think that Nick Martinez can close, he can relieve, and obviously he’s a starting pitcher,’’ Boras said, “so you know he’s, he’s got more gears than an astronomical watch. So he’s a very, very valuable guy that can take this for a team that wants that type of versatility.’’
Tatsuya Imai, starting pitcher, Japan (will be posted Nov. 19)
Imai will be among the top three or four starting pitchers on the market, and certainly is value will be enhanced by Yamamoto’s success with the Dodgers.
“Certainly has done everything that [Yoshinobu] Yamamoto has done in the NPB,’ Boras said, “and does it with a change up more than a splitter. His durability is really of notice. And he’s 27 years old so when most teams talk to me about Imai, they say, “Oh, my!’ He’s that kind of guy. …
“He loves big markets. He is someone who really wants to be on a winning team and compete at the highest level.’
Ha-Seong Kim, shortstop, Atlanta
Kim opted out of the $16 million he was owed in 2026. He was acquired by Atlanta at the trade deadline, who took a $2 million gamble he would stay put after his strong final two months. Atlanta still badly wants him back.
“I think Kim is a hot song on the shortstop charts,’’ Boras said, “no question. I think the availability of defensive premium shortstops in this market is very, very slim. So, if you’re, if you’re looking for a premium defensive shortstop to play, I think it’s HSK.’
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