Uber-agent Scott Boras has made his bones by having as much if not more information about his clients as the teams he is negotiating with. His “books” detailing his free-agent clients’ favorable statistics are legendary in baseball circles.
Not surprisingly, he was ready to do a bang-up sales job on Mark Teixeira when talking with reporters at the GM Meetings in Dana Point.
“On-base percentage and the ability to get on base, to score runs, to do things are all at a very high level in the game,” he said. “Years ago, power may have been more of a value point. Looking more at runs produced, most players that can produce 220, 230 runs and RBI, then add a defensive aspect to it … when they talk about Tex, they’re really talking about the complete thing.
“It’s hard to find (on the free-agent market), certainly an A-Rod … those athletes who give you the highest level of defense at the position, give you the highest on-base percentage, runs produced, and they give you 30 plus home run power and .300 batting average.
“In a decade or so, guys who reach free agency with this type of talent, you can probably count them on one hand. Five or less, maybe a few more, not many. So it’s a rare opportunity for teams.”
Using the simplest formula to calculate runs produced — runs scored plus RBI minus home runs (which count in both categories) — Teixeira has topped 200 just once (in 2005 when he scored 112 times and drove in 144 runs while hitting 43 home runs for the Rangers). He got close last year, scoring 102 runs and driving in 121 while hitting 33 home runs for the Braves and Angels.
Using the same formula, Alex Rodriguez has topped 200 runs produced in three of the past four seasons.
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The Angels need to keep Tex. Period. Don’t let the Yankees or the Red Sox get him.
This is another example of Boras flim flammery.Why would runs scored be more important than slugging percentage ? Runs scored is largely a function of the guys hitting AFTER YOU.Anyways this guy Boras makes me sick, he’s all about money, nothing else matters!
What he did in Boston with Manny was criminal.Tex is a good player but he’s not even a superstar, his teams haven’t won anything so once again Boras is blowing smoke !
The Angels are not cheap (see Hunter, Torii), but in general, they are not reckless either. They will definitely offer Tex a significant package, but they will not get into a bidding war with the Yankees/Red Sox. That is not the way they do business, and they don’t need to. I say they offer Tex about $140 million over 7 years, and if that is not enough, then use the money elsewhere. They can go after Matt Holliday or Jake Peavy and use the rest of the money to lock up Lackey/Saunders/Santana long-term. We all learned from the Rangers what happens when you use a third of your payroll on one player. (see Rodriguez, Alex)
Amen Alex. Amen.
Tex is a special player but baseball is a team sport. Offering Tex the sun and the moon and getting into a bidding war with the Spankees and the Dead Sux is a bad idea.
Anaheim has the advantage of better weather, a more relaxed media, and the comfort of a team and management Tex knows.
I hope the Angels make him a solid offer but I’d hate to see them go nuts.
PS - Too bad we can’t null and void Sarge, Jr’s contract and use a little of that money.
PSS - Go Halo’s.