Dealing for Dollars

D-Lowe was a key member of the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox, but he left the very next year for the pitcher-friendly National League. Boras and another client, Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, tried to tell the Red Sox they were making a serious mistake in failing to meet Lowe's price: $36 million for four years. So far no complaint from either side, as the sinkerball specialist anchored the Dodgers' staff, and the Red Sox have compiled one of the best starting rotations in baseball.

Daisuke Matsuzak

A national treasure in Japan, 26-year-old "Dice-K" has an elastic arm and throws eight different pitches, including the storied "gyroball." Boras nabbed him like he does many international clients, with superior scouting and relationship building. Boras got the Red Sox to pay $51 million for the right to sign the pitcher to a six-year, $52 million contract. A full-time Boras employee is at Dice-K's beck and call, in addition to a full-time translator, and Boras' marketing company has teamed up with the Red Sox marketing firm and a Japanese company to promote Dice-K's image globally. Matsuzaka just pitched his first complete game, and his win-loss record so far is 6-2.

Alex Rodriguez

A-Rod had it all in Seattle — popularity, a winning record, a limitless future — but he wanted more. Bowled over by his statistics and Boras' pronouncement of greatness, the Texas Rangers signed the young star to an unprecedented 10-year, $252 million contract, the largest in baseball history. Three years later A-Rod was off to New York, putting Texas and its mediocre record and declining attendance in the rearview mirror. However, the Yankees value one thing and one thing only: World Series rings. And A-Rod has turned out to be a postseason choker.

Barry Zito

The rangy left-hander has a nasty slider, has never missed a start and pitched well in the postseason for the Oakland A's. A three-time All-Star with a Cy Young Award under his belt, he ranked 20th in earned-run average last year and tied for fourth in wins, with 16. Then he dumped his former agent, Arn Tellem, and went with Boras, who coaxed the San Francisco Giants into giving Zito the largest contract for a pitcher in major league history: seven years and $126 million. So far this year he's 3-5 with a 5.13 ERA.

Cream of the Crop
Scott Boras' clients command more than $1 billion in current salary commitments; 5 percent goes to the Boras Corporation. Here are his top 10 highest-paid active players:

Alex Rodriguez . . . . . . . . . . . . . $252 million, 10 years

Barry Zito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $126 million, 7 years

Carlos Beltran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $119 million, 7 years

Magglio Ordóñez . . . . . . . . . . . $105 million, 7 years

Andruw Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $75 million, 6 years

J.D. Drew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $70 million, 5 years

Chan Ho Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $65 million, 5 years

Adrian Beltre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $64 million, 5 years

Kevin Millwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . $60 million, 5 years

Daisuke Matsuzaka . . . . . . . . . . $52 million, 6 years