Scott Boras, a prominent agent representing some of Major League Baseball’s most notable players, recently shared his thoughts on the concerning trend of reduced spending among teams across the league. Despite his successful efforts in securing an impressive 15-year, $765 million contract for Juan Soto this offseason, Boras highlighted that many franchises invest less than half of their revenue into their player rosters. Notable players such as Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, and Blake Snell have also signed new contracts, yet the overall expenditure remains alarmingly low.

“When we assess how many teams allocate 50% of their revenue, you would expect a larger number,” Boras remarked during an appearance on Foul Territory. “However, the actual figure is quite minimal. For instance, the Yankees currently spend about 40% of their revenue, a decline from their previous 55%. Similarly, the Red Sox fall within this range, and several teams have budgets below $100 million. In fact, last year, six teams spent under $100 million, despite receiving substantial financial support from the league’s general fund. We urgently need a clear commitment regarding competition to determine the percentage of revenues spent on the 40-man roster.”

Boras’s remarks come at a time when spending practices in MLB are under scrutiny. The Los Angeles Dodgers have demonstrated aggressive spending in free agency over the last two years, leading to discussions about how other teams struggle to match their financial commitments to talent acquisition. While it is true that some teams are financially constrained, there are also those that are not fully utilizing their resources to enhance their organizations.

Boras expressed a positive outlook on the Boston Red Sox, who appear to be pivoting away from their prior low-spending approach with the acquisition of Alex Bregman for a three-year, $120 million contract.

“It’s evident that they are determined to change direction,” Boras stated regarding the Red Sox. “They have clearly had enough of the previous four or five years and are eager to ensure their team remains competitive.”