Scott Boras bounces back? Five burning questions about MLB free agency

Super-agent Scott Boras is back with a vengeance, determined to erase last year’s disappointments and score big for clients Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and Blake Snell and others in a high-stakes MLB free agency. 

With other major players and teams facing crucial decisions this offseason, the majors are set for a shakeup.

Here are five burning questions about free agency:

1. Will  Boras get his revenge?

Last season, agent Boras struck out swinging, striking deals for four top clients that fell short of expectations. Cy Young winner Snell, former MVP Cody Bellinger, postseason hero Jordan Montgomery and defensive ace Matt Chapman entered free agency late and landed shorter contracts, each with opt-outs. 

For Boras, this wasn’t a typical win.

Boras is back this offseason, representing a powerful roster, including Soto (Yankees in 2024), Alonso (Mets), Alex Bregman (Astros), Max Scherzer (Rangers) and Snell (Giants) again. 

Speaking at the general manager’s meetings Wednesday, Boras laid out Soto’s “thorough” approach to the market: “He wants to meet people personally. He wants to talk with them. He wants to hear from them.”

Whether Boras regains his signature success will depend on patience and pitching the right long-term vision to clubs.

2. Can Buster Posey build a winner in San Francisco?

Absolutely. Posey’s new role as head of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants has fans buzzing. 

Posey’s history with the team includes three World Series titles (2010, 2012, 2014), but his first offseason in the front office brings its own challenges.

The Giants finished 80-82 and fourth in the NL West in 2024, making it three years without a winning record. With a fresh hire in general manager Zack Minasian and a new direction in mind, Posey is set to shake things up. 

Now a free agent, Snell leaves the Giants with a significant hole in their rotation, but Posey will have a solid financial base, especially with outfielder Michael Conforto off the books. 

Posey’s inexperience is a factor, but his baseball instincts and willingness to learn should make him a force in the Giants’ quest for a postseason comeback.

3. Which relief pitcher will land the biggest deal?

Look no further than Tanner Scott, who went 9-6 with a 1.75 ERA for Miami and San Diego last season. The left-hander’s two-pitch arsenal — a four-seamer and a slider — has been highly effective. According to Baseball Savant, his slider boasts an exceptional 38.8% whiff rate and a 25% put-away rate, giving Scott a unique edge in high-leverage situations.