First, Boras decided that he would push Major League Baseball to change the standard best-out-of-seven World Series format to a best-out-of-nine event with some other minor changes mixed within [Scott Boras’ Plan To Take Over The World (Series)]. Then, Mr. Boras made every SportsCenter show for 3 straight days after saying that his client (Alex Rodriguez) would not talk about an extension with the Yankees until after the season has elapsed. Now, Boras is getting heat for trying to limit the pitch count on a prized import [Since When Do Agents Think They Can Negotiate Pitch Counts?].
Basically, Boras has asked the Red Sox to limit the pitch count for his client, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and people are making a big deal about it. Boras would rather his client (who makes a lot of money) throw closer to 100 pitches than 120 pitches in an outing. Is it such a bad thing for a person whose duty it is to protect his client to vocally pronounce that he would like it if his client was not overworked? Sure, Terry Francona does not have to listen to Boras’ request, but Boras also does not have to re-sign Matsuzaka with the Red Sox when his contract is up.
Personally, I believe that Boras does not damage the game in the slightest bit by being vocal about his client’s pitch count. In fact, overworking pitchers is one factor that damages the game. I have heard one too many times about how pitchers coming out of Rice University have been overworked in college and thus hurt their potential for the future. A lot of people on AOL FanHouse seem to be bashing Boras for his latest comments. I would like to throw him some kudos instead.
-Darren Heitner
4 replies on “Scott Boras Has Been Awfully Vocal Lately”
I think if Boras had a closed door meeting with the Red Sox and explained to them that he didn’t want his client to be overworked that’s great. I couldn’t tell from this post whether or not he said it in public that the Red Sox are overworking Matsuzaka but if he did I think there are much better ways to handle the situation. It’s important as well to note that the Red Sox are safely in first place (8 games up currently) and pushing Matsuzaka to throw 120 pitches doesn’t make a ton of sense. I’ll give Boras the benefit of the doubt on this one, he has to protect his players whatever way he sees fit.
The actions of Boras make sense, as an agent…He’s trying to protect his client. On the other hand, sticking your nose in how to manage the Red Sox isn’t going to go over well with anyone (did anyone hear Terry Francona’s response?). So, while his intentions were good, I think he needed to find a better way to do it, instead of having it end up on sportscenter. Regardless of what he did though, I doubt anyone in Red Sox management would listen to him, i mean, he’s just an agent after all.
Given how Dice-K was worked in Japan, it’s not a bad idea.
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