My Newfound Respect for Scott Boras

         First, my apologies to everyone who doesn't want to hear another Furcal I apologize, but I'm trying to write this off not simply as a complaint about him but about negotiating in the baseball world in general. But again, please don't read if you don't want to hear anymore about what has enfolded over what has seemed like the entire offseason thus far.

         That aside, i write this from the view of a baseball fan who, while trying to keep informed, doesn't have the best idea of how negotiations are typically run in regards to free agency, trades, etc. i would love to be enlightened if my opinion is far from the norm or proper etiquette, but here goes:

        Paul Kinzer, in my humble and honest opinion, has done nothing to prove himself anything short of idiotic this offseason. I feel I can state this opinion with the Athletics faithful, as we currently do not have any players being represented by him, Arn Tellem, or the rest of the Wasserman Media Group (Giambi, Kendall, and Frank Thomas are the only 3 current major leaguers with any affiliation to them at this time). Now I'm sure Kinzer and his pals at WMG are generally pretty smart guys, having representation from the likes of Chase Utley, Hanley Ramirez, and Alexis Rio, along with many other household names. However, Kinzer ultimately failed to get the job done with his 2 prize free agents this offseason, Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez, and Rafael Furcal.

       Am I upset at what has happened as an A's fan? Of course, but viewing this without a bias I can honestly say that he failed his clients in what is his primary goal: getting his clients as much money as possible. First, he decides to shoot his mouth off before the offseason and claim that his client (K-Rod) deserves, not just Rivera money annually (at $15MM per year), but 5 years on top of that, coming in at $75 MM total guaranteed money, for, as proven by many playoff teams recently, one of the more expendable roles/positions in baseball. So, a player thinking he will get a record sum of money ends up getting at least around $60 mil right? Wrong. Kinzer gets him just barely less than half the guranteed money, in a 3 years $37 mil. Now I'm not saying that this isn't a fine amount of money for anyone, but to make these comments before your closer finishes out a record breaking season and yet he only puts away half of what he expected has got to be disappointing to say the least. I mean Joe Nathan, a guy 7 years his senior, put away 4/47, just last year, with what some would argue as lesser numbers than Rodriguez (again keeping in mind he will be 37 at the end of the contract, while Rodriguez won't have hit 30 when he's done with his, options pending).

     Next, onto Furcal, everyone's favorite player 'round AN as of recent. Kinzer think he can legitamately get his client 4 years at the current rate he's getting paid annually ($13 mil/year). So negotiations continue long past 3 SEPARATE DEADLINES, because of who knows what. Things continue, teams move in and out, mystery teams appear and disappear like they're going out of style and we reach today, where it becomes more clear than ever that there were only 2 teams who ever had a chance in signing Furcal, the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Problem is, neither even tried to offer the player a contract near what he was hoping for, with the highest offer between the two seemingly a 3/30 from the Braves with a 4th year option. So, Kinzer expected his client to receive around $52 mil in guaranteed money, instead getting most likely $22 million less than that (unless something manifests in the next few hours). So, between 2 clients, Kinzer has gotten his clients contracts, totalling in $60 MM less in guaranteed money than he expected.

      Of course, I know there is more to it than that. But from the perspective of someone looking at this from a financial perspective, wouldn't they be shocked. I know there's the economic crisis and everything, but Kinzer had to be aware of this and should have judged the market a bit better. Myabe this is his marketing ploy, to significantly overvalue his clients and then get them to sign for a lower amount, but I highly doubt that. That aside, here is where I have come to respect Scott Boras for his frankness in dealing with negotiations. You don't see Boras quoting as saying there are "mystery teams interested in my clients"? No, instead he simply says "is that an offer? are you serious? well you're joking if client X will sign for that. Give me a better offer or get out."

     No, instead Kinzer tries to use Jedi mind tricks to fool those who his client are really interested in signing with to up their offer. Does he think that this kind of stuff doesn't get around in the baseball world? This is the kind of BS that loses agents their  clients and friends in GMs. If I was a baseball player looking for an agent am I going to sign with Kinzer, who doesn't get his guys near the amount of money they hope for and strings everyone along, or will i go with Boras because he gets me the most value, doesn't set empty deadlines, and knows when and how to judge the market? I will go with Boras, no questions asked.

        And I know there is plenty more to this, I know I am missing point A and whatnot, but this has simply been poor negotiating from an agent's perspective. And have the courtesy to tell an organization that your client isn't interested. I mean, that's just ridiculous. Beane showed Furcal nothing but courtesy, showed him around the area, gave him the best offer, and it is now clear Kinzer tried to use Oakland as a marketing ploy, trying to drive up the offers from LA and Atlanta. That, to me, shows a total lack of respect. At least we know Boras would show teams the honesty in saying, "hey, you just can't compete dollar for dollar, I don't recommend you stay involved in negotiations."

             Now with that off my chest, here's to Oakand A's baseball. Who's to say where we go from here with our offseason plans? Maybe the A's make some moves to improve this team, maybe it stays the same? Only Billy Beane really knows. Maybe he'll wake up tomorrow and unload the team, or maybe he'll make the deal of the century. All I know is that I stand by Oakland Athletics baseball no matter what happens, and 2009 never rested on one player in Free Agency. Furcal isn't to Oakland what Teixeira is to LA of Anaheim.

Cheers to '09!