Stan Kroenke’s billions could allow the Angels to spend more aggressively. Scott Boras believes his reputation may be just as valuable.
The superagent offered a glowing assessment of Kroenke after the Rams owner agreed to purchase a controlling interest in the Angels from Arte Moreno, pointing to something beyond payroll that could help reshape the franchise.
“He’s exemplary,” Boras told the Orange County Register. “He lets his experts in every sport run their franchise. He commits to acquiring elite talent and has [benefited] from that by winning championships in soccer, hockey, basketball and football.”
That track record, Boras believes, could immediately change the Angels’ pitch to free agents.
“The precedent of the owner and who he is and what he’s done, the storyline is completely different for players,” Boras said. “His wealth is completely different.”
Kroenke’s teams have collected championships with the Rams, Nuggets, Avalanche and Arsenal in recent years. Mike Trout similarly pointed to that history after learning of the sale, saying, “Wherever he buys, he wins.”
Boras’ comments carry particular weight given his history with the Angels.
He negotiated directly with Moreno while the club pursued Gerrit Cole after the 2019 season. Cole eventually signed with the Yankees, but days later Boras and Moreno completed Anthony Rendon’s seven-year, $245 million contract — a deal that became one of the most disastrous free-agent signings in recent memory.
Boras also represents current Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi.
Kroenke and Boras, however, have had little reason to do business directly. Kroenke’s sports empire previously stretched across football, basketball, hockey and soccer, while Boras has remained overwhelmingly focused on baseball.
That is about to change.
“Who doesn’t want championship owners to come to the game?” Boras told the Daily News, describing Kroenke as “kind of an ideal owner.”
For years, the Angels have needed more than another expensive free-agent contract. They have needed to become a destination players associate with winning.
Boras believes Kroenke’s résumé may begin changing that perception before he signs his first check.
