2 SF Giants rivals in pursuit of Scott Boras clients appear to be coming up short

The SF Giants have been connected to many of Scott Boras' remaining clients for much of the offseason. While no traction has been made on that front, two rivals in pursuit of Boras clients are seemingly coming up short - the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels.

2 SF Giants rivals in pursuit of Scott Boras clients appear to be coming up short

After winning the 2023 World Series, the Rangers have had a rather disappointing offseason. Usually, teams use this as an opportunity to attract free agents and improve the roster, but that has not been the case with Texas.

Jordan Montgomery helped the Rangers win their first title in franchise history. Given this, a reunion appeared possible, if not likely. However, Rangers general manager Chris Young threw some cold water on that notion, indicating that further additions to the roster were unlikely according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.

On the other hand, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reported that Angels owner Arte Moreno plans to have a lower payroll in 2024. Los Angeles finished last season with $232.9 million committed against the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT), but they are projected to come at $188.2 million in 2024 as currently constructed.

There is still room for them to add payroll while still being below last year's figure. That said, it just does not feel like the Angels are motivated to shop for any of the Boras clients, especially considering that they have been burned on long-term deals to free agents like Anthony Rendon and Albert Pujols.

The Angels and Giants have been connected to many of the same Boras clients this winter. Boras represents Montgomery, Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Cody Bellinger, and J.D. Martinez. You can pretty much rule out Martinez to the Giants after they reportedly signed power-hitting slugger Jorge Soler to a three-year deal.

It is hard to gauge the actual markets for Snell, Montgomery, Chapman, and Bellinger. For any of these players, there are only one or two teams that make sense on paper but there has been little movement in negotiations up until this point. That could change now that spring training is underway.

Boras tends to wait out the market in an effort to land his clients the biggest payday possible. He is very good at this and gets his clients paid more often than not. However, it is hard to create competition when a market might not exist.

For someone like Montgomery, the Rangers or the Boston Red Sox have always felt like potential landing spots. However, the latest information from Texas indicates that they do not expect to add at that level of the market. And, in the case of Boston, they have operated more like a team that is motivated to shed payroll.

Perhaps, the New York Yankees or Philadelphia Phillies could be get involved. Either team makes sense. However, it is hard to leverage a market that just might not be there.

Similar to the Giants, the Angels have been connected to each of the Boras clients. If they are motivated to reduce payroll, it is hard to leverage them as a potential suitor to other teams.

In theory, the Giants still have some work to do this offseason. Whether that involves any of the Boras clients remains to be seen, but they have been connected to all four at some point this offseason. If they are, it feels like they are competing with one less suitor in Texas and potentially another with the Angels. There are not many rival suitors remaining.