Scott Boras and the Best Agents in MLB

Boras has been in the business for over 30 years
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There are agents, and then there is Scott Boras.

The Napoleon, Einstein and Superman of baseball agents rolled into one, Boras has been the designer of some of the most lucrative deals in MLB history.

In a game of numbers a player wants to see his on-the-field production reflected on his bank statement.

Enter the agent, "Step aside, you immaculate cowhide-ripping superstar. Let me handle the business."

Let's take a look at some of the best agents in baseball.

7. Ron Shapiro, Shapiro, Robinson & Associates

Photo courtesy of www.daretopreparebook.com

Ron Shapiro is regarded as one of the best negotiators in the business.

He has represented Hall of Fame players such as Kirby Puckett, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Brooks Robinson. His most recent deal of notable success came in 2010 when he negotiated an eight-year, $184 million contract for client Joe Mauer.

Shapiro has authored multiple books including Dare to Prepare: How to Win Before You Begin, which was published in 2008 and made the New York Times, Business Week and Wall Street Journal's best seller lists.

6. Seth Levinson, A.C.E.S.

Photo courtesy of New York Times

Seth Levinson, along with his brother, Sam, runs Athletes' Careers Enhanced and Secured Inc.

While staying out of the headlines for most of their 27-year career as sports agents, the two have landed such players as David Wright, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon and Shane Victorino.

However, the Brooklyn-based sports agency has come under heavy MLB investigation after numerous connections to the supply of steroids.

The Levinsons represent Melky Cabrera, who recently served a 50-game suspension for PED usage, were cited by Roger Clemens' former trainer, Brian McNamee, in his perjury trial, and were outed by former client Paul Lo Duca, who claimed he was encouraged to take steroids from known dealer Kirk Radomski.

Seth Levinson has called the allegations "utterly baseless" and the agency continues to operate.

5. Fernando Cuza, SFX Baseball

Photo courtesy of Total Pro Sports

Fernando Cuza has a way with Dominican and Latino players.

The Spanish-speaking Cuba native never attended law school but has benefited from the strong relationship he builds with his clients.

His two biggest contracts were Miguel Cabrera's eight-year, $152 million deal with the Tigers in 2008 and Alfonso Soriano's eight-year, $136 million contract with the Cubs.

Cuza also negotiated deals for stars such as David Ortiz and Mariano Rivera and represented retired or aging players like Pedro Martinez, Vladimir Guerrero and Miguel Tejada.

4. Arn Tellem, WMG Management

Photo courtesy of Business Week

Arn Tellem joined the Wasserman Media Group in 2006 as the vice chairman and also serves as the managing director of Team Sports.

He is regarded as one of the most respected sports agents in the world, working specifically with the MLB and the NBA. 

Tellem is responsible for over $3.5 billion in client contracts since 2008, including Yu Darvish's six-year, $60 million contract with the Rangers. He has also orchestrated such lucrative contracts as Jason Giambi's $120 million deal in 2002 and Chase Utley's seven-year $85 million contract in 2007.

In 2006, Sports Business Journal named Tellem the "Most Influential Agent in Sports."

3. Dan Lozano, MVP Sports Group

Photo courtesy of Sports Business Daily

Dan Lozano knows how to get the job done. 

He represents high-profile stars such as Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Joey Votto, Jimmy Rollins and Brian Wilson.

Lozano was the mastermind behind Pujols' 10-year, $240 million deal with the Angels and Votto's 10-year $225 million extension with the Reds.

Drama has circled around the 23-year veteran after he left the Beverly Hills Sports Council in May of 2010 to start his own agency, MVP Sports Group. Lozano represents nearly 50 players, and when Alex Rodriguez came on board after leaving Scott Boras' representation, scrutiny swirled over Lozano's tactics.

Sexual harassment allegations, a DUI and an incomplete bachelor's degree have all been used against Lozano in an attempt to lure his superstar clients.

He's one of the best in the business, and it will take more to debunk him.

2. Casey Close, Excel Sports Management

Photo courtesy of Sports Business Daily

Casey Close began his career as an agent at IMG, continued on to Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 2006 for five years and now heads up the baseball division of Excel Sports Management.

Close is best known for representing Derek Jeter and negotiating his 10-year, $189 million contract in 2000, which was the second-richest baseball contract at the time.

He is also the agent for Ryan Howard and helped secure his five-year, $125 million deal with the Phillies.

What's interesting about Close is that he was a college baseball standout at the University of Michigan, playing alongside Hall of Famer Barry Larkin. Despite batting .440 with 19 home runs and 72 RBI, Close never reached the majors.

1. Scott Boras, Boras Corporation

Boras is a feared adversary in the negotiating room
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What is there to say here?

Scott Boras is the single, most successful baseball agent in history. He founded, owns and resides as president of his own sports agency and is the man responsible for the most lucrative contract in MLB history.

He negotiated Alex Rodriguez' 10-year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers but had a falling out with Rodriguez after A-Rod opted out of that deal and finalized a 10-year, $275 million agreement with the Yankees in 2007.

Nevertheless, Boras has completed nine-figure contracts for Prince Fielder (nine years, $214 million), Mark Teixeira (eight years, $180 million), Barry Zito (seven years, $126 million) and Matt Holliday (seven years, $120 million). 

He also represents youngsters Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper and hopes to secure a contract for South Korean pitching phenom Ryu Hyun-Jin.