Does anyone want to make an argument that Boras is good for the game of baseball? I'm sure he's good for his players, and for his bank account. But is he good for the game?
Andruw Jones is the case in point. Andruw wants to spend his career in Atlanta. Atlanta would like to have Andruw Jones. Nevertheless, the day after the regular season ended, the Braves said they would not resign him. Why? Because Boras whispered in Andruw's year, so Andruw thinks he can get a 5 year deal worth $20 million a year.
That's right. $100 million for Jones, who (if you didn't notice) hit .222 this year and had an OPS of .724. In case you don't keep up with these things, Jack Wilson, the Pirates no-name shortstop, had an OPS of 790, which was about league average.
Okay, so maybe Jones had a bad year and he'll bounce back. Or maybe not. He's going to be 30 next year. He's at the back end of his prime...or if this year is evidence, on the downswing. Yet Boras has him thinking a team wants him until age 35 as one of the highest paid players in the league.
Who would you rather have on the roster from 2008-2012, Jones or Teixeira? Teixeira is 27 years old, and his OPS was .973 for the year; 1.019 if you count only his time with the Braves.
What's sad is some mid-market team will mortgage the the next five years and sign Jones. That's what Boras is counting on.
