In Major League Baseball, agents play a crucial role in shaping players’ careers—handling contract negotiations, endorsements, and even arbitration cases. The best agencies represent some of the highest-paid and most influential players in the sport.
Borаs Corporation
- Founder: Scott Boras
- Notable Clients: Juan Soto, Gerrit Cole, Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, Stephen Strasburg
- Reputation: The most powerful and controversial agency in baseball. Scott Boras is known for extracting massive deals and rarely encouraging early extensions. His clients routinely test free agency and often land record-breaking contracts.
- Strengths: Contract negotiation, player development, marketing
- Weaknesses: Some teams avoid Boras clients due to hardball tactics
Highlight: Negotiated Juan Soto’s 15-year, $440 million offer rejection—betting on even more via free agency.
Wasserman
- CEO (Baseball): Joel Wolfe
- Notable Clients: Giancarlo Stanton, Yu Darvish, Fernando Tatis Jr., Julio Urías, Kenta Maeda
- Reputation: A global powerhouse across multiple sports. Known for a balance of strong negotiation and player-first branding strategies.
- Strengths: International reach, multilingual representation, balanced business approach
- Weaknesses: Not as aggressive as Boras in pushing boundaries
Highlight: Secured Tatis Jr.’s 14-year, $340 million extension with the Padres at just 22 years old.
CAA Sports (Creative Artists Agency)
- Key Agents: Brodie Van Wagenen (formerly), Jeff Berry
- Notable Clients: Jacob deGrom, Buster Posey (retired), Andrew McCutchen, Hunter Greene
- Reputation: A strong all-around agency with roots in Hollywood. Known for offering both on-field and off-field brand-building.
- Strengths: Marketing, crossover appeal, arbitration expertise
- Weaknesses: Less aggressive in mega-deal bidding wars recently
Highlight: Helped clients like deGrom and Posey establish themselves as both stars and respected leaders.
Excel Sports Management
- Lead Agent: Casey Close (notably represented Derek Jeter)
- Notable Clients: Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw, Trevor Story
- Reputation: A mid-sized firm with a strong reputation for personal service and representing high-character veterans.
- Strengths: Personal relationships, reputation management
- Weaknesses: Smaller client list than Boras or Wasserman
Highlight: Negotiated Freeman’s high-profile deal with the Dodgers after his departure from Atlanta.
Rep 1 Baseball
- Notable Clients: Shane Bieber, Walker Buehler
- Reputation: A rising agency with a sharp focus on elite pitchers and analytical contract strategy.
- Strengths: Pitching talent pipeline, strong analytical support
- Weaknesses: Still growing, with limited position player reach
Honorable Mentions
- Octagon Baseball: Known for representing clients like Zack Greinke and Josh Donaldson in the past.
- MVP Sports Group: Represents Manny Machado, has played a key role in large free-agent signings.
- Roc Nation Sports: Founded by Jay-Z, once represented Robinson Canó. Less active recently in high-profile deals.
