I was watching a rerun of the All American game on Fox Sports. They interviewed a player named Reese Havens who signed with U. South Carolina. He said the Red Sox GM called the night before the draft and offered $1,300,000 in the first round. He declined the offer. His dad confirmed the conversation with Brett Saberhagen who announced the game.

I understand the lure of the local big time college program. I get that. I just thought major league baseball was a loftier goal, a bigger stage.

I just don't get turning down the opportunity and everything associated.

Can someone please explain it for me?

reese wanted 2 million and really wanted to attend south carolina anyways. simmilar thing happen a few years ago with Drew Myers

Sorry Dad04, just can't explain why one would turn that down to be a gamecock!
JMO.

Give me 1.3 mill and I can probably turn that into 2 mill before I need to spend any of it.

I'll never understand how guys that say MLB is a real goal in their lives turn down this kind of opportunity, let alone this kind of money. I know plenty of talented kids that would sign for $1,300. and the opportunity to play.

How true is this story? Can we get the Red Sox GM on the phone?

That kid either got very bad advice or has a very bad attitude. Some people like being wooed more than actually playing.

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I know plenty of talented kids that would sign for $1,300. and the opportunity to play.

There are more than a few Sr. Ragin Cajuns praying for free agent contracts right now.

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How true is this story?

Granted, until a player is actually picked it's tough to turn the money down. All we know is what the kid and Saberhagen said though. They sounded sincere.

That is a very interesting scenario and I think the question begs to be asked: Why didn't the team know before the draft that this player was unsignable for less than $2 million? It seems quite possible that what VaDad said is true here: "Some people like being wooed more than actually playing."

I have to agree with itsagreatgame. My son would probably be on a bus right now for $1300. $1.3 million????? Have to question the kid's desire. Also, I know calls happen at the last minute from organizations, but seems like everyone would have known if this kid was that far out from negotiating.

For some people it is not about the money--it is about playing where he wants to play in college and hope to be drafted three years later

Perhaps this says it all: the town my son grew up in has an internet paper run by one of his HS classmates from 1994-- the grads of the past are asked to send in hellos etc and my son proudly noted that he had played his college baseball at New Mexico State--you could sense the pride in the post--- for some, college is very important for others not as much

I'm with TRHit...Everyone looks at this differently. Some people would do almost anything for $1,300,000. Some people would sacrifice everything to have the opportunity to play professional baseball, while others feel nothing can take the place of a formal education. I say to each his own. My opinion is based on the fact that I have never been offered $1,300,000 for anything, I have never had the talent or the opportunity to play professional baseball, and I have never been to college and I am perfectly content with my life. Surely you agree with me because it's common knowledge that: Ignorance is bliss, money ain’t everything, and baseball is just a game.
Fungo

I get that a kid REALLY wants to be a Gamecock and get his education. My kid's a Cajun and love's it.

I get money aint everything. It ain't by a long shot. It's just real tough getting by without enough of it. I know.

Ignorance is bliss. Baseball is just a game, a very cool game.

To each his own.


FBM mom

Maybe I wasn't clear. He turned down a pre-draft deal for 1st round $$. The Rockies actually still drafted him in the 28th round.

I have been thinking about this scenerio and my son and have come to the following conclusion.

Right now my going on 20 son has everything he needs ,transportation, an ipod, a laptop, X-Box, TV, two pairs of khaki shorts he lives in, 2 pairs of new sneakers and some polo shirts, a DVD player, great friends, great coaches, a great scholarship and another shot at the draft. He is content. He is not thinking about retirement at his age, so money at this stage in his life is not important (though he worked all through HS and knows how hard it is to make it).
As I told Dad04, his experiences that he has had this year are priceless to him, he feels that college (not just getting your degree but the whole picture)is an experience that money can't buy.
With that in mind, all kidding aside about USC, I could see why the 1.3M was turned down.

This has got to be one of the most controversial topics on the site. While I respect everyone's decision and don't think anyone can tell another player or family what they should do, I just can't imagine a player turning down a first round draft pick. The 1.3 million isn't really the point, but does demonstrate that a club has confidence in and a desire to have said player. My son would consider it such a privilege to play pro ball that he would consider any offer and be gone if it was up to him. That's not where I stand. IMO money and round are just important indicators of your chances - just like college. It's not about the money - it's about an opportunity to live your dream. We all have different dreams and make different choices to achieve those.

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My son would consider it such a privilege to play pro ball that he would consider any offer and be gone if it was up to him. That's not where I stand.

Lafmom, I'm with you. I think that's why parents exist.

Dad04 ...

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He turned down a pre-draft deal for 1st round $$. The Rockies actually still drafted him in the 28th round.

Sorry, I misread the "called the night before" and made the offer. Duh !! That makes more sense to me now.

And I do understand his decision a little better now, tho as much as my son wanted to play in college, had ANYBODY called him at the end of high school with an offer, I think he would now be in his 5th pro season

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had ANYBODY called him at the end of high school with an offer I think he would now be in his 5th pro season

I think have one of those too. Plenty of kids have their cake and eat it too. College is still a possibility with pro ball.

dont believe everything you hear, i was at the game, and personally i dont think thats true, watching him play and work, he doesnt seem worth 1.3 million. Besides, its amazing how many people drafted in rounds 10-35 still think their worth at lesat a million. I must have had 10 guys drafted in round 10 or lower say they wanted 1.1 million or so STILL! and they all say " well they offered me 675,000 in the 5th and i turned it down" i personally dont believe any of that, mainly because the teams werent even calling people before they were picked this year. Dont believe anything you hear, out of all the guys who claim they got offered such and such, maybe 1 is right. And Reese Havens saying he got offered that is just stupid. Cus if you get offered that, your signing, bottom line. I guarantee if he really got offered that he wouldnt be a Gamecock. Thats just my view of things. Maybe someone else sees somethin i dont, but he didnt seem like that great of a player to me. And for a guy whos not Justin Upton, i find it hard to believe he would turn down 1.3 million to go to college.

And to conclude, i just want to say that i am not in any way saying Reese is NOT a good player, he is a very great athlete and i would take him on my team any day. And im not saying he didnt get offered that much. But as far as the All-American game, there were about 15-20 other players probably claiming the same thing. Reese is a Great ball player and i dont want to take away from that, im just putting forth my opinion on people SUPPOSEDLY turning down that amount of money. When MOST of them didnt. I know for sure at least 4 of the guys claiming to have gotten offered 800k or more, and turned it down to go to college are not telling the truth about such events. But yes, not taking anything away from reese, just saying, dont believe everything you here. Ego's have a way of changing money figures

Shane...In general, how are your negotiations going? Has anything significant happened yet? If not, do you have a "lean" yet or would it not be wise to indicate that at this time? After all is "said and done", a more detailed narrative of your experience would be very enlightening. Congrats and Good Luck!

OOPS...I probably should have posted this on your "drafted" thread...feel free to answer here or there.