Boras Canned

Perhaps Kenny Rogers took it to heart a couple days ago when I suggested that A-Rod fire Scott Boras. He did just that. Goodbye Scott Boras. Rogers will now represent himself in negotations.

Rogers cuts ties with agent Boras

One For Carr

On the eve of the big game in Ann Arbor where the Wolverines and the Buckeyes will meet for their annual battle, I cannot help but think of the three year losing streak that Lloyd Carr and his Wolverines are looking back at. Henne and Hart are facing graduating doing what most Michigan players have never felt -- losing to the Buckeyes every year of their collegiate career.

This year could be different. The well tested Wolverines have shown that they may not be able to contend with the big dogs, but they have proven that they can beat everyone else. Even playing without key players Henne and Hart against Wisconsin, they did manage to stage a comeback run that almost worked. Ohio State fell flat against an Illinois team was easily handled by the Wolverines.

But do those games really mean anything in this game? No.

This is a tradition that goes back before many of us were even thought of. The days of Bo and Woody still live on in the media and in the hearts of all the players. It is the ultimate sports rivalry fueled by hatred and passion.

So what will it take for the Wolverines to win this game? Henne, Hart, and, most importantly, Solid Defense.

Michigan's Defense has to stop Chris Wells. Wells is averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and has 1200 yards on the season. Coming into Ann Arbor, you can be sure that Wells would like to add a couple hundred yards to his stats, and walk away with a Rose Bowl bid. Also, Michigan must put pressure on QB Todd Boeckman. He's fairly mobile and has a good arm. If they can sneak in a good amount of sacks, and keep him off his balance, they might just be able to keep him behind the line of scrimmage and under control.

Henne and Hart must performance like Heisman candidates. Hart was the leading rusher in the country until he hurt his ankle a few weeks ago. Since then, he's had limited or no playing time in each game. He must regain that level of play, and remind the world why he was considered for the prize. Henne must overcome his shoulder problems and find accurate deep passes to Manningham.

Plain and simple, this is a favorable year for the Wolverines. They're playing at home against an Ohio State team coming off a bad loss. Ohio State will be filled with rage from losing a national title bid, but the Wolverines will be poised to win the game and head to the Rose Bowl.

Prediction: Michigan wins 34-17.

21.3 Million Reasons To Fire Boras?

It appears that the Tiger's chances of re-signing Kenny Rogers hit a snag. Super Agent Scott Boras has convinced the veteran pitcher to take the $7-8 million offer from the Tigers and test the free agent market with it. This leaves a void in the Tigers' pitching rotation in a thin free agent pitching market.

But this isn't the worst of Scott Boras by a long shot.

Alex Rodriguez is reportedly in talks with the New York Yankees to return to the Bronx next season. A-Rod originally opted out of his remaining three years and $81 million because Boras told him too. Boras stated that if they did not come to the table with a 10 years $350 million contract, then they will not be speaking with A-Rod. Hank and Hal never had the chance to negotiate a deal before Boras broke the golden rule of the World Series, and announced A-Rod was opting out during Game 4 of the 2007 World Series.

Disrupting the fall classic to me overshadows both of these signings. Boras clearly has his own agenda, and none of it is good for baseball. The only people that stand to make anything good out of this are the banks that host the money for the players he signs to abnormally high contracts. Not only did he take the biggest stage of the year to announce that one of his clients wants $350 million, he took something away from the clinching game of the series. Instead of talking about how the Red Sox won, national TV and radio were busy talking about how Boras broke the news during the game.

What is Scott Boras really trying to do? Is he trying to get his players their market value? Is he trying to make sure that the players of today make up for that which the players of yesterday did not get? The answer to most of what Boras does comes down to good ole fashion greed. Money before tradition. Big bucks for selling products rather than rewards for winning a playoff series.

Scott Boras is a mockery of the game. Aside from all of the above, and the fact that he tried to get two games added to the World Series for financial reasons, he's ruining the image of a lot of stars in the game. On top of that list of stars are three players I find the most intriguing this off season.

Andruw Jones. Coming off one of the most disappointing seasons of his career, Boras is reportedly seeking $15-20 million per year over a long period for the center fielder. His reasoning as always: Jones will sell tickets! Wow... Maybe they can sign him in Florida and watch the sales spike?

Kenny Rogers. Coming off of a disaster of a season in which Kenny was hurt nearly the entire season, Boras has decided to take a more than fair $7-8 million offer and shop it around. His reason? Kenny will sell tickets! Another wow! Rumors of Texas are flying all over the place. If he leaves the Tigers, I'll write about him and Boras together next time.

Alex Rodriguez. Everyone knew he was going to opt out except Scott Boras apparently. "That is up to Alex!" he chanted many times to the press. But then he announces the opt out during the world series? Now Alex is grovelling with the Yankees brass trying to cut a lower deal to make up for the $21.3 million subsidy he lost them.

That brings me to my opening thought on this whole thing. Should A-Rod part company with Scott Boras?

A-Rod and Boras have been partners since Alex was 16. After A-Rod finished up a modest deal with the Mariners, Boras found him a $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers. He vowed to win a championship there, but found out real quick that all of their budget was tied up in him. Within a couple years, he was a Yankee. Something he said he cherishes and wants to retire as.

So why then did he opt out of the last three years of his contract? Was it the fact that $81 million wasn't enough? The Yankees were poised to give him a raise at the end of that with a contract in the neighborhood of $27.5-30 million per year for 5-10 years. Boras looked at this and said "Its not $35 million per year starting next year".

A-Rod opted out and now where is he? In the offices of Hank and Hal grovelling for less than he would have gotten. Why? Because Boras told him greener pastures were on the other side of an opt out, and used his humanity against him. He found a way into the greed gland that every one of us has. He used it, and he used it well...until now.

If A-Rod were smart, he would fire Boras and sign with the Yankees. He can hire a new a new agent to handle his contract's wording and any new endorsements and other business moves that he runs into in the next few years. Boras has already cost A-Rod at least $21.3 million, and possibly more.

Boras is a cancer in a sport that already has enough problems. Steroids and gambling have plagued the sport in the past. Why have financial problems enter the picture? It isn't clear whether or not A-Rod would have gotten 10 years $350 million from anyone. The only thing clear was a lot of teams that could use a 3B upgrade said no thanks. Give it 10 years, and who's to say offers wouldn't have been coming? A-Rod could have finished his career in a losing building with a lot of money. Would be truly be happy? In the end, no.

My final plea against Boras: A-Rod, re-sign with the Yankees.

Tigers Keeping Up With the Joneses!

Todd Jones owes a debt of gratitude to Joel Zumaya. Joel Zumaya was hurt while trying to move boxes out of his parent's San Diego home when he was hurt and is now shelved for half a season or more. End result: Todd Jones value goes up, and he inks a 1 Year $7 million deal to close for the Tigers.

OF Jacque Jones was acquired in a trade this week from the Chicago Cubs for infield utility man Omar Infante. Good move by the Tigers adding a quality hitter and terrific fielder for a guy who just isn't making it.

Kobe for Prince, Hamilton, Johnson, Picks??

I about drove off the road tonight when I was listening to 97-1 The Ticket. They were talking about the deal Kobe nixed for a trade to Detroit for Hamilton, Price, and Johnson. Detroit I'm sure is denying it, since that kind of talk doesn't motivate players on the court in a positive manner. Yes, Kobe to Detroit is exciting. No, I don't like the deal. Giving up two players that are a strong part of your team, and one that potentially could be great, is the wrong move for a guy with baggage. Yes, he could carry then Pistons when needed, but I don't see him fitting in with his own agenda. Thank you, Kobe, for allegedly saying no.