Some more Scott Boras quotes on Machado signing
Talking to superagent Scott Boras – especially about his clients – is always an interesting experience. I spoke to him for several moments this morning about the Orioles’ newly minted pick Manny Machado, whom the Orioles signed to a $5.25 million deal three minutes before Monday’s midnight deadline.
Here are some Boras quotes:
On Machado: “He has a chance to become a premier major league player. We don’t see that often, much like Wieters, that a player can come to the big leagues with a very short minor league career. He is a very instinctive hitter. And he will be a guy who hits for power, he certainly has the power.
On whether Machado will stay at shortstop or eventually move to third base: “He can hold the middle infield now and he will have the bat to move to third base if and when he gets older and it merits a move off short. …. At this point in time there is nothing to indicate he would have to move from shortstop, but bodies can change at 23, 24. Some players remain lean and some players get thicker.”
On having a track record with the Orioles and quality clients: “With the Orioles, specifically, I like to address the fact that I had Matt Wieters and Jake Arrieta and both of them are players sitting in the big leagues right now. We knew (Manny’s) value, Joe (Jordan) knew his value, and I think this is a great signing for Baltimore, as Wieters was.”
On getting big contracts for amateurs: “You talk about players’ credibility, any amateur player we have gotten $5 million or more for has turned out to be a significant, contributing major leaguer every time. 100 percent.”
On asking for $5 million for amateurs: “In my 30 years or so of doing this we have asked for $5 million (for an amateur) less than 15 times, maybe even less than that. They have to be a very special player, and Manny falls into that class. Skill-wise, attitude and exuberance, who he is is a tried and true baseball player and so this is a very equitable deal for both sides. This is a young player that is going to be a very important part of their future.”
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
I looked back at the Sun's 27 photos of Orioles' #1 draft picks over the years.
If any O's fan wants to be reminded of why the team has promoted so few players from the minors I suggest reviewing these photos for a walk down memory lane.
Posted by: Dennis | August 18, 2010 5:48 AM
I wonder how many high school players Boras has asked $5 mil for? Weiters got big bucks but was much more of a proven player with his college experience.
Posted by: Dave T | August 18, 2010 1:22 PM
"We don’t see that often, much like Wieters, that a player can come to the big leagues with a very short minor league career."
Hey Boras, maybe you could take a few minutes away from your time spent counting your money to notice that Wieters is not exactly tearing it up in the big leagues.
Posted by: Al East | August 18, 2010 2:19 PM
That's exactly what I was thinking Al East. And Dennis, you've tempted me to look through the pictures but I don't know if I can endure the pain. I'm just praying Buck will bring in a good pitching coach next year.
Posted by: Justin | August 18, 2010 4:29 PM