Scott Boras, Your Thoughts?

I take back everything bad I said about Scott Boras. He does not remind me of a corrupting octopus, spreading his vile influence via slimy tentacles.

Bryce Harper’s agent apparently spoke today to New York Post columnist and MLB Network Insider Joel Sherman.

Here are some of the notes Sherman shared about Bryce Harper’s 13-year deal with the Phillies:

Spoke to Boras, who told me: “We had average values of $45M offered on shorter term deals. We had a full buffet.” Said length, commitment now and in future offered by ownership, plus ballpark turned Harper to the #Phillies

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 28, 2019

Hmm.. wow. So Harper could have probably earned more money immediately and then gone back into free agency to coincide with the expiration of the CBA in 2021. He really did have a full buffet of various offers in better weather cities.

More of the thread after the jump:

Boras: “The goal was to get the longest contract possible. Bryce wanted 1 city for the rest of his career. That is what I was instructed to do. It is very difficult in this time to get length of contract that takes a player to age 37, 38, 39.” #Phillies

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 28, 2019

Yes. Yes it’s very difficult to get that kind of contract length. If your wife is currently pregnant right now, your child will be 12 when Harper’s contract expires.

On why lower AAV, Boras: “To get great length, you have to give something up. Frankly the Philly ballpark had a lot to do with it. Bryce hits great there. And ownership (Middleton) flew out twice (to Vegas) and really went through the hoops to show how much he wanted Bryce."

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 28, 2019

Jim Salisbury says Middleton’s wife actually came on one of those trips. 

But yeah, this was pointed out many times that Harper RAKES at Citizens Bank Park. He has 208 plate appearances here with 48 hits and 14 home runs. His OPS is .930. His OPS at Citizens Bank Park is better than anywhere else in the National League East.

Keep in mind on #Nationals $300M offer to Harper. $100M was deferred (that was confirmed by someone not in Boras camp). Paying him to about age 62, greatly depreciating current value. #Phillies are $330M, no deferrals.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 28, 2019

Good nugget there.

Will say this: Harper has no-trade, no opt out. But low AAV means he will be tradeable if need be. A-Rod had no-trade, so did Stanton, Cano, Verlander, etc. No one thinks they are getting divorced on their wedding day and yet … #Phillies

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 28, 2019

Let’s think about this later. Much later.

Also worth noting that #Mets took on Cano because they believe a DH is coming to the NL at some point soon. I am sure this is in the calculus for the #Phillies giving 13 yrs to Harper

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 28, 2019

Yep, big consideration here. The National League DH can’t come soon enough, in my opinion.