MLB's top free agents on display in the World Series – and they all have the same agent

HOUSTON — There may not be a soul with more at stake in this World Series.

He's not swinging a bat, throwing a ball or even managing a game.

He's watching from his Southern California home, insisting he has no rooting interest in either team.

But no matter who wins this World Series, with Game 6 on Tuesday between the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals, he will be the biggest winner of all.

It's super-agent Scott Boras. And he just so happens to represent the biggest stars in this World Series.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

“I’ve had prominent players playing in the World Series before,’’ Boras tells USA TODAY Sports, “but nothing quite like this."

The top position player eligible for free agency and in line for a payday over $250 million is Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon.

He is represented by Boras.

The best pitcher eligible for free agency, who almost certainly will be provided the richest contract for a pitcher in history, perhaps even earning more than Rendon, is Astros starter Gerrit Cole.

His agent is Boras.

Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals' starting pitcher in Game 6, has an opt-out clause and can declare free agency.

Guess who his agent is.

“I think we’re about to make Scott richer than he already is,’’ Rendon said.

WORLD SERIES: Nationals' hopes fade with three straight losses

GERRIT COLE: Ace delivers one last gem for Astros

Boras represents nine players on the 40-man roster of both teams, including AL Championship Series MVP Jose Altuve of the Astros and 21-year-old sensation Juan Soto of the Nationals.

Boras may have an even greater influence on the future of both teams.

If the Nationals are going to make a return trip to the World Series, they desperately could use Rendon.

The Nats already made Rendon a seven-year offer for about $210 million before the playoffs.

Sorry, Boras said, not good enough.

The Nats desperately want Strasburg to stay and co-anchor the rotation with Max Scherzer, another Boras client. Strasburg has four years and $100 million remaining on his contract, with $40 million deferred without interest. They have three days after the World Series to extend or re-work Strasburg’s contract, or he can opt out and test the free-agent waters for the first time in his career.

“Stephen Strasburg has had an amazing season,’’ Boras says, “but he has yet to make that decision. I haven’t even talked to Stephen or (wife) Rachel about it. I haven’t even addressed it. When the season ends, we will sit down and talk and see what he wants to do."

And if Strasburg doesn’t want to opt out now, he can do it a year from now, Boras reminds everyone, with another opt-out after 2020.

“It’s a camel option,’’ he says. “There are two humps to it.’’

The Astros would love to keep their prized pitching corps together for another World Series run.

Well, unless they’re ready to shell out at least $240 million, and perhaps as much as $275 million, Cole will be taking his talents elsewhere. 

So Boras is going to be quite popular this winter, with a stable of free agents whose postseason performances only enhanced their value.

Cole, who has lost only one start since May 22, continued his fabulous postseason run by dominating the Nats in Game 5 of the World Series with a three-hitter over seven innings. He went 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in the postseason, and saved the Astros’ season with a brilliant Game 5 performance in the AL Division Series clincher against the Tampa Bay Rays. He will finish first or second in Cy Young voting  after going 20-5 with a 2.50 ERA and 326 strikeouts in 212⅓ innings during the regular season.

Rendon has put on a clinic in the postseason, hitting .308 with seven extra-base hits and nine RBI, while being a human highlight reel in the field.

“Everybody is calling me and telling me what a great baseball player he is,’’ Boras said. “I saw him play his freshman year at Rice. I know he was going to be a great baseball player.

“Now, everybody is understanding this guy is an MVP-type player. He hits for average. He hits home runs. He’s a great baserunner. His defense is unbelievable. And his baseball IQ is off the charts.

“What more could you want?’’

Strasburg went 18-6 with a 3.52 ERA and career-high 251 strikeouts during the regular season, and has a 5-2 career postseason record and 1.34 ERA, with 64 strikeouts in 47 innings. He kept the Nats' season alive in Game 5 of the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and won Game 2 of the World Series.

“To be dominant in the postseason, to win elimination games,’’ Boras says, “frankly, that greatness just adds to your resume, and makes you even more valuable. These guys that show they can do it, their pedigree is documented."

In other words, their stock price is soaring through the roof.

Boras also represents starters Hyun-Jin Ryu and Dallas Keuchel, infielder Mike Moustakas, and outfielders Nick Castellanos and J.D. Martinez, if he opts out.

Yet, for now, he’s focusing his attention on his stars in the World Series, even though he insists he’s staying neutral.

Still, while he may have no public rooting interest, Boras is more closely aligned with the Nats than any team.

When the Nationals had the first draft pick in back-to-back years, they selected Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper, each represented by Boras.

When outfielder Jayson Werth was their first big free agent signing at $126 million in 2010, and then Scherzer signed a seven-year, $210 million contract in 2015, it was Boras who negotiated the deals.

Boras boasts that it was his advice that led to the Nationals being in position to draft Strasburg and Harper.

“I remember (Nats owner Ted Lerner) was interested in signing Mark Teixeira (after the 2008 season), and I said, 'You shouldn’t sign him,’ " Boras said. “'It doesn’t really work for him or you. It behooves you to do this slowly, and not win so much. You want to take advantage of some unique players coming out in those drafts.'

“The Lerners looked at the big picture, it allowed them to build a core, and then signing Scherzer really developed some algorithms for Ted.’’

It was no different than lending advice to the Astros when Jim Crane bought the franchise in 2011.

“When Jim became owner,’’ Boras says, “he flew to my office, sat down, and said, 'I want to build this thing right.’ "

And now, here are the Nats and Astros, the last teams standing.

Just one will be holding the World Series trophy but Boras, along with his clients, will be walking away with the riches.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Bob Nightengale on Twitter @BNightengale