• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

MLB History Repeating? Free-Agent Stars Risk ‘Boras Four’ Fate

A frothy, and in some ways unprecedented, beginning to the MLB offseason has transitioned to a much more cautious cadence.  

Jun 20, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) looks on as Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning at Minute Maid Park.
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

After a frenetic, record-setting beginning to MLB’s offseason hot-stove period, the free-agency market has slowed considerably to a near-crawl as several big names are still looking for new professional homes. 

The first six weeks of the offseason included a massive run of deals that included the historic, $765 million contract between the Mets and Juan Soto, a flurry of moves by the Yankees to help counter that superstar’s departure, the Dodgers continuing to flex their financial and competitive might with a $182 million pact for pitcher Blake Snell, and even a surprising, $210 million agreement between the Diamondbacks and star pitcher Corbin Burnes

Recent weeks, however, have revealed a much more cautious cadence, leaving former All-Stars such as Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Anthony Santander, and Tanner Scott still unsigned. The changing mood of the current free-agent market arrives as teams have upcoming arbitration hearings for eligible players who haven’t reached deals with their clubs, and franchises are now looking to finalize player payrolls for the upcoming 2025 season.

Spring training camps, meanwhile, open in less than a month for all 30 clubs. 

The elongated timetable for the collection of still-unsigned star free agents recalls the “Boras Four” of the 2023–2024 offseason, a group of players represented by top agent Scott Boras and including Snell, fellow pitcher Jordan Montgomery, outfielder Cody Bellinger, and third-baseman Matt Chapman. Each of the quartet signed late in last year’s cycle with contracts below initial expectations, and then often struggled on the field—particularly in the early part of the 2024 season.

Snell since recovered to sign his big deal with the Dodgers, the former National League MVP Bellinger is now part of the Yankees’ recent retooling and is eyed for a big comeback in 2025, Montgomery returned to the Diamondbacks after being a target of criticism by team owner Ken Kendrick, and Chapman signed a six-year, $151 million extension with the Giants in September. 

Boras represents Alonso and Bregman, with the former perhaps now considering a shorter-term contract with opt-outs in a situation said to be growing more urgent, and the latter reportedly less inclined to abandon a long-term agreement

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) throws his bat after hitting a two run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on during the third inning of game four of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

World Series Game 5: Largest Blue Jays Audience Ever on Canadian TV

Canadian viewership continues to be a major storyline of the World Series.
Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman (55) is safe at third base after the play is reviewed against Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (13) in the twelfth inning during game three of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

18-Inning World Series Game 3 Draws 17.6M Viewers in U.S. and Canada

Canadian viewership of the World Series remains solid despite an 18-inning Game 3.

World Series Games 1–2 TV Ratings Are Up With U.S., Canada Combined

U.S. viewership is expectedly down, but it is boosted significantly by Canada.

Shohei Ohtani’s Historic World Series Game 3 Sets Up High-Stakes Game 4

Ohtani will start Game 4 on the mound after another epic performance Monday.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Aug 24, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) celebrates with Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) during the second half against the Washington Mystics at CareFirst Arena.

Dominique Malonga Headlines Unrivaled’s Final Player Announcements

Aari McDonald and Rebecca Allen are also joining Unrivaled.
Terry Rozier
October 29, 2025

NBA Union Says It Will Fight Decision to Withhold Rozier’s Pay

Rozier has one year and $26.3 million left on his contract.
Sep 13, 2025; Tokyo, Japan; World Athletics president Sebastian Coe at the World Athletics Championships opening ceremonies at National Stadium.
October 30, 2025

World Athletics Finds $1.7 Million Stolen by Employees

It will use the “full force of the law” to recuperate losses.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

TNT Sports is going all-in on college athletics—bringing fans closer and giving brands a powerful new way to connect.
October 28, 2025

WNBA Proposes 30-Day Extension on CBA Negotiations

The CBA expires Oct. 31; a deal is not expected by then.
Oct 24, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) looks on against Nashville SC during the first half at Chase Stadium.
October 28, 2025

Lionel Messi: MLS Can’t Grow Without More Spending Power

The Inter Miami star recently signed a contract extension through 2028.
Napheesa Collier
October 28, 2025

WNBA, Players Remain Far Apart With CBA Deadline Days Away 

A union lawyer says a deal will not be reached by Friday.
Alexis Ohanian
October 28, 2025

Alexis Ohanian: Angel City Ownership Setup Was a ‘Terrible Idea’

He admits that the NWSL club’s governance was a disaster.