Player agent Scott Boras thinks the ideal time for teams to sign offseason free agents is before the potential lockout, which will begin when the current collective bargaining agreement expires if a new agreement isn't reached.
"For many teams, I can make an argument it's clearly best for them to sign players currently, before the (new) CBA, than it is after because they have more freedom to do what they're going to do," Boras said, according to The Athletic's Andy McCullough. "They can react later. Now they can get the talent. They can get what they want."
Free agency officially opens five days after the World Series concludes, which leaves a short window to sign players before the CBA expires Dec. 1 and potential rule changes involving player salaries go into place.
With a possible lockout looming, the month of November could be busy, similar to the free-agent frenzy of 2021 when multiple players inked long-term deals before another lockout occurred.
"I think there's going to be more urgency," an unnamed executive told McCullough. "And I think it could be a fun month of November, if we treat Dec. 1 like, 'This is a deadline, so let's get some shit done.'"
Boras represents two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who will be the top player available in free agency. Skubal projects to earn a deal north of $400 million unless a change in the next CBA prohibits that kind of contract.
