Marlins team president David Samson has put super agent Scott Boras on blast.
The feud between the two heightened when the Marlins sent outfielder Marcell Ozuna, a client of Boras’, to the minors following a slump. When pressed about the topic on Wednesday, Boras told Craig Davis of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel the Marlins were sending a message “that there is a calculus going on that is beyond performance.”
Strong words, but Boras is protecting his client.
Sampson went nuclear in his response, telling Davis that if Boras is so interested in decisions regarding players, he should buy his own team and do what he likes.
“Our baseball people do what is in the best interests of the team and the player. My strong suggestion to Mr. Boras is that instead of resting on his 5 percent that he collects from his stable of players, he write a check and buy a team. Because then he would have the opportunity to run a team that he claims to be so able do to. … Every decision we make is based on the best interests of the team and always has been.”
That’s quote of the year material.
He went a bit further with his retort, saying Boras won’t be involved in any decisions regarding Jose Fernandez, another Boras client, and the Marlins.
“[Boras] will in no way be included in the process other than continuing to collect whatever commissions he may be entitled to,” Samson said. “He will not be involved in any discussion as it relates to Jose Fernandez. We will be in touch with the doctors and Jose as we formulate a plan.”
Sampson is awfully salty towards Boras.
Don’t get me wrong, Boras definitely walks a fine line when giving criticism, but that’s his job. It’s probably not the best idea for Samson to publicly roast one of the most influential agents in the game, even if it’s marvelous entertainment for the general public. Fernandez hasn’t been locked into a long-term deal with the Marlins, and I’m sure Boras isn’t dying to get a deal done with Miami.
These type of playground fights don’t benefit Samson in any way except for pride. He’s potentially burned a huge bridge.
