Agent Scott Boras and MLB disagree on whether the league’s teams lost money during the pandemic-shortened, spectatorless 2020 season. Speak with Jon Heyman from MLB Network and other reporters Tuesday, Boras stated that clubs “Lost profit” last season, but they have not lost any money. Per Heyman, a spokesperson for the league responded “Clubs lost $ 3 billion – $ 100 million per team.” It now seems that the league and player side will be in disagreement for a few more months on whether or not to play a full schedule in 2021. MLB reportedly wants to push back the season, which would mean a second consecutive shortened season. However, that would cost the players money, so they are not currently open to the idea of playing fewer than 162 games next year.
Boras, for his part, remains angry that the league’s teams only played 60 games in 2020. “I was very disappointed that in 2020 we didn’t play at least 100 games, 120 games,” he said (via Chris McCosky of the Detroit News). Boras believes the competition could return to its normal slate in the future, as he stated: “We now know that we can play the game and that we can do it safely. And now that the vaccine is coming, we can play it at an even higher safety level. The question is not whether we can do it. We’ve already done it. That unknown has been erased. “
The always outspoken Boras had a lot more to say during his conversation with the media. Here are some other highlights …
- Boras claimed it was low-budget Athletics will need “A revolt of a small amount” to maintain success, and for that, they cannot simply rely on a potential new stadium, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle Relays. That “rebellion” doesn’t seem like it’s out of season. According to Slusser, the A’s have told agents they don’t have much to spend, which is especially alarming for a team dealing with the losses of several key free agents (Marcus Semien, Liam Hendriks and Tommy La Stella are among them). In better news for the club, Boras announced that third baseman Matt Chapman is approved for increased activity and should be ready for spring training. Chapman underwent hip surgery in September, after which Boras said he would need 12 to 16 weeks to recover.
- although Cubs third baseman / outfielder Kris Bryant this off-season has been the subject of trade rumors, Boras seems to have the impression that he will stay with the team for another year, per Heyman. About Bryant’s future, Boras said (via Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune): “That question is likely to come up very clearly in late ’21 as we are going to know a lot more about what Jed (Hoyer) wants to do, as well as the survival of Kris Bryant’s excellence in a baseball uniform. ” The Cubs would sell low on the former MVP, who earns an expected salary of $ 18.6 million in his final season of team control. Many clubs may find that too rich after Bryant endured unusual struggles last season.
- Likewise, Boras doesn’t expect the Rays to trade left-handed Blake Snell.
- MLB introduced the universal designated hitter in 2020, but even with a free agency underway, there is no official word on whether it will return next year. Boras pleaded for it to come back and took a chance at the commissioner’s office’s lack of clarity, saying: “Maybe in the commissioner’s office, the DH can stand for their heels.” He also believes it is so “absolutely necessary” to maintain the league with extensive rosters (via Tyler Kepner of the New York Times and Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register).