Scott Boras climbed atop a platform before a ceiling-scraping imitation fir bedecked with silver, gold and emerald ornaments as dozens of reporters swelled around him. On the penultimate day of the winter meetings, Boras came bearing corrections, metaphors and reassurances about the strength of the market for his premier client, free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper.
Last week, before the sport convened at the Mandalay Bay, Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner cast doubt on his franchise re-signing Harper after his initial rejection of a $300-million offer, and insisted “I really don’t expect him back at this point.” The Chicago Cubs lack interest in bloating their payroll, and the Dodgers appear only interested in a shorter-term commitment to Harper.