Adding superstar talent without talking to Scott Boras is very possible.
Peanut butter and jelly go together really well. But do they need each other? Heat up a bowl of peanut butter for 30-40 seconds and tell me you’re not completely satisfied. Jelly, on its own, can hit the sweet tooth needed for some but others might find it too large of a kick to the system to ever indulge. The New York Mets and Scott Boras are kind of like the classic sandwich combination. The Mets are peanut butter. They’re turning Boras into jelly.
While the end of the two sides doing business is a ridiculous notion because at the end of the day these are powerful businessmen talking, there are ways for the Mets to circumnavigate having to deal with the most powerful agent in the sport next offseason. These four players set to hit free agency next offseason currently aren’t represented by Boras Corporation.
1) Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Lucky for us, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is represented by Magnus Media. He has been the dream trade candidate for the Mets all offseason long. Easily someone Boras could look to poach as a client, the disaster created in Pete Alonso’s free agency should hopefully have Guerrero staying with his current group.
The Mets should be right there alongside everyone else bidding for Guerrero’s services. We can expect the deal to exceed $400 million. He’s too young and too gifted in a variety of ways for it to be any less. Only a few years ago Jeff Wilpon made a remark about how few teams have more than one $100 million player as an excuse for why the Mets didn’t have more. It’s a good thing he doesn’t own the Mets. They could be on the verge of having three $300+ million stars with Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor already present on the roster. This fact has nothing to do with inflation either.
Guerrero shouldn’t have any problem getting a massive pay day as long as he produces his typical numbers in 2025. The Soto deal helped set some sort of a structure for what his contract could look like. I’d expect something long, pricy, and the inclusion of opt outs with a chance for the team to add to his contract to avoid losing him after about five years.
2) Kyle Tucker
Exactly where would Kyle Tucker fit into the picture for the Mets? Considering Soto’s defensive reputation, some more frequent stops at the DH spot and more of a revolving door with the offense-exclusive position would be one way to make it happen. Currently represented by Excel Sports Management, Tucker needs to see what has gone on with other Boras Clients and stick with his current representation.
This season will be a change for Tucker who’ll suit up for the Chicago Cubs whose mission should be to “wow” the 28-year-old. He’ll easily be among the most popular free agents next offseason with maybe even more suitors than Guerrero Jr. MLB teams seem far more willing to spend big on corner outfielders than they do first basemen.
Tucker’s deal wouldn’t quite match what Guerrero would get simply due to age. He’s a dream free agent candidate for the New York Yankees who wouldn’t have missed a beat if he was the one they replaced Soto with. Alas, the Cubs are at least a pit stop for him in 2025.
There would be some gluttony if the Mets somehow managed to get him. Guerrero Jr. is a far better match outside of Pete Alonso being around in perpetuity. A similar sentiment could be said about this next free agent whom we’d love to see but it might require another major change at a position for it to happen.
3) Devin Williams
Players never go from the Yankees to the Mets. Money talks. Devin Williams is another major moving part from the offseason. Traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Yankees, it’s almost easy to forget it happened in the fray of an exciting offseason where both New York clubs were two of the more aggressive organizations. His agency is Beverly Hills Sports Council, making him an incredibly desirable non-Scott Boras client.
It’s a reach to expect Tucker to come to the Mets and the club to move all of the parts around to make it happen. It’s not impossible, though. With Williams, the Mets wouldn’t be able to promise him saves and that’s something a lot of elite relievers want tacked onto their stat sheet.
Unfortunately, it’s going to take another major change for the Mets to pursue him. Interestingly, Edwin Diaz has an opt out after this coming season.
Odds are in favor of Diaz opting into his deal simply because it’s difficult to believe another team would pay him as much. Even a repeat of 2022 might not be enough for clubs to view him as a $20 million per year player. There’s always an extreme situation such as a trade where a spot does open up. Don’t hold your breath for a pairing of the two on the Mets roster.
4) Framber Valdez
One of the better pitchers in the American League over the last few seasons, it seems like Framber Valdez doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Overshadowed by other stars on the Houston Astros, he’s a free agent after this season and someone the Mets should seriously consider.
Health has been kind to Valdez about to embark on his age 31 season. He has seasons of 22, 31, 31, and 28 in a row with consistent results every year. He’s a winner and should garner plenty of attention as a free agent next year. It would be a massive change in the process for the Mets to actually go after him as they’ve stayed away from lengthy deals, especially with older pitchers.
Valdez is currently represented by Octagon so there’s no dealing with Boras to do to cut a free agent deal. The Mets will have needs in their rotation but exactly how many remains unknown. Kodai Senga probably won’t trigger his opt out which would require him to log a league-leading innings total. Frankie Montas has an option and who knows what David Peterson’s status will be? Odds favor the Mets avoiding any big deals with starting pitchers in free agency. If it means they don’t have to deal with Boras, maybe they reconsider.
