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Buyer beware: Garret Anderson and the All-Scott Boras Bust Team
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Any chance the Angels had of resigning Garret Anderson at a discount price evaporated with news that Anderson has hired Scott Boras as his agent. General Manager Tony Reagins can expect an early Christmas present in the form of a phone book-sized document trumpeting Anderson as a combination of Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Stephen Hawking.
Anderson has put a fine career together, but with declining power numbers, all prospective buyers should beware. In fact, any buyer of a Scott Boras client should think twice because for every all-world talent like Mark Teixeira in Boras’ stable, there are many busts.
Take Andruw Jones. The Dodgers sure would like another team to do so.
There were times last season I expected to turn on SportsCenter to see Boras and his client Jones being escorted from Dodger Stadium in handcuffs for fraud. Of course, they would also have to cuff GM Ned Colletti on conspiracy charges for being ignorant enough to sign the pathetically out-of-shape Jones.
Thus, let’s take a look at the first annual All-Scott Boras Bust Team. It’s loaded with has-beens and overrated players who earned extravagant contracts through the manipulation of Boras and the ignorance of MLB owners.
Catcher: Jason Varitek
4 years, about $40 million (2005-2008)
13 home runs, 43 RBI, .220 BA, .313 OBP, .359 SLG, .175 with runners in scoring position (RISP)
As noted in this space previously, Varitek is without a doubt the most overrated player in baseball. But since he’s such a wonderful leader, let’s make him the captain of the ASBB team.
First base: Brad Wilkerson
$3 million (2008)
104 games, 4 home runs, 28 RBI, .220 BA, .308 OBP, .326 SLG, .175 RISP
Second base: Josh Barfield
Barfield only played 12 games (.188 BA) for Cleveland, and earned “only” $722,800
Shortstop
Boras has few shortstops among his clients, so this position will remain empty unless one feels Stephen Drew fits the mold.
Third base: Joe Crede
$5 million (2008)
97 games, 15 home runs, 55 RBI, .248 BA, .314 OBP, .460 SLG, .271 RISP
Crede is an excellent clutch player, but his balky back has derailed a promising career. He replaces Adrian Beltre on the team, who finally produced decent numbers in Seattle.
Outfield: Andruw Jones
2 years, 36.2 million (2008-2009)
75 games, 3 home runs, 14 RBI, .158 BA, .256 OBP, .249 SLG, .086 RISP
Corey Patterson
$3 million (2008)
135 games, 10 home runs, 34 RBI, .205 BA, .238 BBP, .519 SLG, .289 RISP
How many chances is Patterson going to get before Dusty Baker and company realize he’s a bust?
J.D. Drew
5 years/$70M (2007-11)
109 games, 19 home runs, 55 RBI, .280 BA, .408 OBP, .460 SLG, .271 RISP
Labeling Drew as a bust is, admittedly, a stretch. But throughout his career, he’s usually been disabled when his team needs him the most. He has a tendency to disappear at times even when he isn’t on the DL. Remember his time as a Dodger? Yeah, neither does anyone in Los Angeles. Not what you would expect from a $14 million player.
“Ace” pitchers
Barry Zito
7 years/$126M (2007-13), plus 2014 club option
10-17, 5.15 ERA, 1.6 WHIP
Jeff Weaver
8.3 million (2008)
7-13, 6.20 ERA, 1.53 WHIP
Jarrod Washburn
4 years, $37.5M (2006-2009)
5-14, 4.69 ERA, 1.46 WHIP
“Closer”: Eric Gagne
1 year, $10 million (2008)
4-3, 10 saves, 7 blown saves, 5.44 ERA, 1.47 WHIP
In all fairness, Mr. Boras does have many productive clients. Check out the complete Boras client list and judge for yourself.
