A new report claims some around MLB are very worried about the influence super-agent Scott Boras will have on who the MLBPA chooses to replace former executive director Tony Clark.
MLB and its players’ association are less than nine months away from negotiations on their next collective bargaining agreement, which is expected to be very difficult. Due to the spending of teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, one of the big changes owners are expected to push for is a hard salary cap.
A hard cap is something players will resist. However, months away from those monumental negotations the MLBPA lost a very important part of their leadership when executive director Tony Clark surprisingly resigned from his position this week. His exit is related to an ongoing investigation over allegations of licensing money and equity being improperly used by Clark and other members of the union’s leadership.
Now, the MLBPA must take time away from spring training and decide on Clark’s replacement, and some in the union are worried about Scott Boras’ influence on that decision. According to The Athletic, “Some players and agents are lobbying for other candidates, fearing that Scott Boras’ influence is pushing the union toward a too hasty promotion of [Deputy executive director Bruce] Meyer.”
Ex-Met Daniel Murphy among the contenders to replace Tony Clark
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal and New York Mets offseason addition Marcus Semien are members of the union’s eight-player executive subcommittee, and both are Boras clients. The super agent also has other clients that serve as player representatives for various teams.
Boras has been open about his support for Meyer. However, The Athletic reports that the deputy ED is a polarizing figure in the union and among players in general because of his lack of charisma and leadership skills.
If Meyer is not the choice to succeed Clark, the outlet claims that MLBPA general counsel Matt Nussbaum, former union executive director Don Fehr (he served from 1983 to 2009), as well as MLB veterans Daniel Murphy and Andrew Miller are candidates to be the union’s next director.
