Toronto Blue Jays: Why Scott Boras’ comments shouldn’t be taken seriously

Shift in MLB team building leading to the youth movement

The Houston Astros changed the way of thinking among MLB teams when they won the World Series in 2017 because they drafted and developed their core and added pieces at the trade deadline.

Their payroll for the 2017 season was $132,536,382 and of course, it did increase to $163,524,216 because of additions and other deals they made. It will continue to go up too when deals for their top core players are up for renewal as well.

For years the Astros were one of the weakest teams in baseball and while also turning in a big profit. According to Forbes, the Astros made an estimated $99 million in operating income in 2013 which was more than the previous six World Series winners combined at the time. They opened the 2013 season (where they finished dead last) with a $26 million active payroll and cut it even further.

More from Toronto Blue Jays

• Blue Jays avoid disaster as Kevin Gausman injury not serious
• Blue Jays interested in outfielder Andrew Benintendi
• Blue Jays hope fresh start for Sergio Romo boosts bullpen
• Blue Jays need to have a break from Yusei Kikuchi
• Blue Jays: Nate Pearson suffers yet another setback

Teams that know they aren’t in a competitive window aren’t going to spend money on free agents. Instead they will save the money and go with younger players who if they perform to their potential will make a good salary down the road.

Unfortunately for agents like Boras, seeing more teams go with younger, affordable options means his clients that are free agents are left searching for a contract. The reality is that fans will pay to see a winning but the formula has changed.

Even the Yankees had to shed money and older players in order to usher in the new era of young players and this is what the Blue Jays are trying to do. At the same time, the length of the rebuild is not something a team can easily project.

The Blue Jays will hope that seeing more young players emerge including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will put them in a position to consider making moves to get them in a competitive spot. It is going to take time and unfortunately for Boras and his clients, it means staying away from making a major splash in free agency.

It’s the reality of the game and something agents are having to adapt to whether they agree with it or not.

What do you think about Boras’ comments? Is he right to call out the Blue Jays? Let us know in the comments below.