@ Daniel

But Boras threatened to do it (or at least dropped hints that he was willing to do it) and either it was a bluff (borderline ethics) or it was ridiculous (moving to the Dominican to get a better contract).  And I just would not want my son involved in that

According to KLaw, whether he moved there or not he’d still be subject to the draft since he’s still an american citizen.  Now if he wanted to renounce that and become a citizen of another country, that’s a different matter.  However, I’m sure we’d all agree that it’s not exactly the brightest move.

We’re not talking about reserve clauses and players living below the poverty line.  We’re talking about the difference between 20 year olds making $4 million and $8 million. 

Unfortunately far far more of the drafted players aren’t the ones making the $4-$8M contracts but are living at or around the poverty line.  Remember that this isn’t the NBA draft with only two rounds.  There are hundreds of players who make the same if not less than most of us on this board who have to make sacrifices in their lives to continue persuing(sp?) their dreams.  The Strasburg’s/Ackley’s/Priors/etc will get their money regardless of what is done, it’s all these other people who could be screwed by the abolishment of the draft.

@ hoboblin

There was an interesting article a while ago here on THT arguing that Boras is unethical because representing several top free agents is a conflict of interest.  IE if the Yankees sign Tex and CC, Manny gets screwed.  Tex and Manny are both Boras clients.  It’s a strong point.

It can be even worse if he’s representing one player like Strasburg who’s going way over slot and another player who’s willing to accept slot money.  How can he say he’s representing each one’s best interest if a team is interested in both of them?

“But Boras threatened to do it (or at least dropped hints that he was willing to do it) and either it was a bluff (borderline ethics)”

How the is a bluff borderline unethical? It’s a negotiation.  EVERY agent should bluff for the benefit of their client.

And a large part of the blame for the Alvarez situation should fall on the Pirates, who failed to submit a contract by the deadline.

You haven’t given a single example of unethical behavior by Boras.

w/r/t Boras, Not sure that he’s done anything unethical draftwise, but in his other work he has created enough fictional bidders for his free-agent clients to drive the price up that I’m surprised he hasn’t been investigated.

RE: Hochevar

From the same Wiki page:

“[Hochevar] re-entered the draft again in 2006…[and] signed a four-year major league contract worth $5.3 million guaranteed with the Royals. He received a $3.5 million signing bonus with the ability to earn as much as $7 million over the four years.”

Looks like Boras got him a much better deal in 06.

Only if you assume:

1 - The Dodger’s offer was a big league deal containing as much guaranteed money ($5.3m) instead of a minor league deal with only the bonus ($2.98m) guaranteed.

2 - That he would have then been ready to pitch in the majors a year earlier.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/050909hochevar.html

And a Baseball America article on the whole ordeal if you want details. What is it with Boras not making a counter offer?

I don’t think we can blame Boras for that mess.  The Dodgers offer was low, evidenced by the fact that Hochevar was able to get over $2.5 million more guaranteed the next year.

The details surrounding the agent switching do sound “ethically murky,” but again, how can we blame Boras more than Sosnick, White, or Hochevar himself?  We really don’t know what happened.

MJ -

“Unfortunately far far more of the drafted players aren’t the ones making the $4-$8M contracts but are living at or around the poverty line.  Remember that this isn’t the NBA draft with only two rounds.  There are hundreds of players who make the same if not less than most of us on this board who have to make sacrifices in their lives to continue persuing(sp?) their dreams.  The Strasburg’s/Ackley’s/Priors/etc will get their money regardless of what is done, it’s all these other people who could be screwed by the abolishment of the draft.”

I agree.  Abolishing the draft would help the guys getting paid millions to get paid millions more.  Fine.  But what about the 8th rounders?  Or the 15th rounders?  If more money went to 1st and 2nd rounders, then costs have to be cut elsewhere.  Some of that might be major league free agents but some of that will also be lower round draftees.  And then we might miss out entirely on some guys who are haven’t completely matured yet and so are considered marginal prospects. 

My main point is one that has been echoed by others in this thread - baseball does not operate as other free market industries.  If you want to abolish the draft within the system under which baseball currently operates, then you have to give the owners some other concession, and you can bet your butt that it would have to be a LARGE concession.  If you want to do away with the current structure of major league baseball entirely (wherein 30 owners and their chosen representatives decide how to run the sport), then you have to open it up to everything.  Collective bargaining out the window.  Teams folding because of losses.  Billionaires trying to start new teams and join the league.  No revenue sharing.  It could go on and on.  It’s impossible to have it both ways.

Daniel, teams use similar tactics in negotiations.  They deceive, bluff, and fight for every dollar.  If you don’t have an agent that is willing to do the same (and all agents do it, Boras is just the best), you’ll end up getting screwed.

Whatever, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what he does.  You obviously do.

...but if I were to get drafted, knowing how long the odds are that I will have a long and prosperous MLB career, I’d want the most ruthless MF’er I could find negotiating what is probably my one large payday.