This smaller window has apparently given players more negotiating leverage
over the teams, as several record-breaking contracts were signed. Teams
generally disregarded the Major League Baseball-mandated "slot" recommendations
on how much money to offer draft picks from different positions,
David Price, the first overall pick in June's draft,
Agreed to a Six-Year Deal
with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for $8.5 million. Escalators in the contract
could raise that amount to $11.25 million.
Perhaps no team exceeded the "slot" recommendations for signing bonuses more
than the Detroit Tigers, who were
Very Busy During the Final Days
of the draft. Rick Porcello made the biggest splash with his four-year,
$7.28 million contract as the 27th player selected overall.
The Red Sox had mixed success on Wednesday,
Signing Six Draft Picks
above MLB's "slot" recommendations, though failing to come to terms with their
second-round selection, Hunter Morris.
The Orioles proved that selecting a Scott Boras-represented player is
feasible by inking 5th overall pick Matt Wieters for
Less Money Than Most Observers
Anticipated.
Neil Ramirez, the flame-throwing 44th overall pick of the Texas Rangers, told
LoneStarDugout.com of His
Intention to Sign hours before he made it official.
9th overall pick Jarrod Parker signed with Arizona for perhaps less money
than the market dictated. Find out what Parker thinks about some of the
other first round deals in a
FutureBacks.com Interview.
A couple of days ago, Jay Zenz of PhillyBaseballNews.com attempted to
prognosticate what would happen with the Phillies'
Unsigned Draft Picks.
Find out how well he did.
Finally, Brian Walton of The Birdhouse reminds us that the August 15th
signing deadline applies only to underclassmen, and that selections such as Nick Peoples, a senior from the Texas Longhorns, are still
Free to Negotiate
after the deadline.
Is that all? Of course not, head to
The Scout.com MiLB Homepage to find your
favorite team, player, or just to get the latest inside news from Scout.com.
Be sure to come back next week for Around the Horn.