Who to Thank for Ryan Madson? Scott Boras?

Having Ryan Madson as the Reds closer brings a feeling of some relief to Reds fans. With four years of Francisco Cordero (or as some dubbed him “Uh-oh” Cordero), looking at the pen and seeing Madson at the back end can bring a smile or two. Shortly after the news was made public (but yet to be official), I published a post about the Madson addition.

Little did I know what would follow.

While we’re lauding the praises on Walt Jocketty for the deal, he may not be the only one to thank. If you ask former Phillies closer and now MLB analyst Mitch Williams, you might want to thank Madson’s agent, Scott Boras.

One thing about Williams…he always speaks his mind. Ask his opinion and you’ll get it.

Remember when he was asked by Dan Patrick about Aroldis Chapman and 105? I’ll refresh your memory.

"Williams: “Let me clear this up for everyone sitting at home. The day they take a 1985 ray gun out there and put it on Chapman and he hits 105…Patrick: “You don’t think it’s a legitimate 105?”Williams: “No.”"

That crazy Mitch! Always got something to say.

According to Ed Condran of Metro Philadelphia, Williams states that Boras is the reason Madson will not adorn Phillies pinstripes in 2012. But to Williams, it goes a little deeper. Actually, much deeper.

"I believe the reason that the Phillies ultimately didn’t sign Ryan Madson has nothing to do with him and everything to do with his representation,” Williams said. “I just don’t think the Phillies wanted to satisfy Scott Boras. How many Phillies are represented by Boras? None. When [Jayson] Werth signed with Boras, he wasn’t coming back to the Phillies.“I think the Phillies-Boras war started when J.D. Drew wouldn’t sign with the Phillies [in 1997] and it continues today. So the Phillies signed the next best thing with Jonathan Papelbon. It’s a shame since I don’t think Boras is good for the game. He’s good for the players he represents. But I feel bad for Ryan. He was a great fit for the Phillies."

Don’t harbor a grudge, Mitch. Hard to deny Wild Thing’s statement though. He’s on point. And if you remember my post about the Madson deal, it was originally reported that the deal was four years while it was later revealed the Phillies offered three years. How did that get out? Hmm…

Look, we all know agents can be a bit on the shady side. They pump up their clients in order to get better deals and more money. That puts more clams in their pockets. They may even tell a client that a team has offered “this” when it was actually “that”. Then, they turn around and agree on “that” and the client thinks his agent “went to bat” for him. Some will go to extremes to even land a client. Wonder where I read those ideas? Oh, it was here (Warning: NSFW pics within linked article).

In looking at Cot’s Baseball Contracts, Mitch is right. No Boras client currently resides on the Phillies roster. (Had to check, you know.) You have to think that Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. wants nothing to do with Boras. Might be some bad feelings in the dealing concerning Werth. And that feeling probably goes even higher up within the Phillies front office and ownership.

Walt has dealt with Boras in the past, but Madson is the only Reds currently represented by him. Former Red Micah Owings was represented by Boras. So was Willie Bloomquist. (Sorry. Had to reference him.)

If Williams is correct with his assertion, for at least one year (and hopefully more), thank you, Scott Boras.

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