Nice piece from Basball Analysts

http://baseballanalysts.com/

Will be interesting to see who rolls over. I also did not know MLB was trying to keep teams from not pre-announcing. Do I smell a little collusion here?

Announced signings only drive up the bonus and MLB is not real happy over the amounts given over slot.

I am not sure I understand all of this, because if these kids are talented and need to be swayed by large $$ to stay out of college so that teams can improve their future and the game of baseball why would they not be happy? Does MLB just want the same teams to dominate year after year?

I think it's time teams are realizing you can't just keep relying on spending money on older experienced FA that don't really exist anymore. The game is headed towards a youth movement, why fight it?

Just checked Rivals and the following did not sign:

Gerrit Cole: Going to UCLA which may not be a bad thing since he will probably get just get better and get some serious $$ in 010.

Josh Fields: Second year in a row not to sign. Not sure what is going on here.

Aaron Crow: Nats continue to struggle in figuring out what to do. Could be one of the quickest thought the ranks to help them out.

As far as I could see all of the other 1st rounders signed. Will be curious what they went out for
.

Don't understand the Aaron Crow deal. Why did the Nats draft him if they weren't willing to pay him first round $$. Can someone give me insight into this and why he would choose to go play Independent ball as opposed to returning to school.

quote:

Originally posted by BOF:
Just checked Rivals and the following did not sign:

Gerrit Cole: Going to UCLA which may not be a bad thing since he will probably get just get better and get some serious $$ in 010.

Josh Fields: Second year in a row not to sign. Not sure what is going on here.

Aaron Crow: Nats continue to struggle in figuring out what to do. Could be one of the quickest thought the ranks to help them out.

As far as I could see all of the other 1st rounders signed. Will be curious what they went out for
.

quote:

Originally posted by puma1:
Don't understand the Aaron Crow deal. Why did the Nats draft him if they weren't willing to pay him first round $$. Can someone give me insight into this and why he would choose to go play Independent ball as opposed to returning to school.

Since Josh Fields was a Sr in college, he has until a short time before next years draft to sign or he goes back into the draft, there were a lot of out of slot deals that were being made Friday night and I think Boras put and MLB put him on the back burner knowing he can get a deal signed shortly after the 15th deadline for the other players.

Crow on the other hand was a jr and he had to sign by the 15th, his options are to go back to school or wait until next year's draft. Word has it he chose to wait, he signed a deal before the deadline with an independent ball club to play next season in May (maybe for a bargaining chip that was called). I am sure he was looking for much more than slot money and what the Nats were willing to pay, the game for top picks is to wait to see what the market brings, as you may have seen, a few got big money way out of slot, others got big money and a major league contract, which is worth it weight even more than a big sign bonus.

Crow wanted 8-10 million, which obviously the Nats could not afford, he dropped his demand down to 4M when they offered 3.3. Did he really want to sign with them?
I do believe signing independent ball allows for another team to pick him up. As to why he didn't go back to school could be for many reasons, one he would have to pick up his own tab, or he can improve his pro game for next year's draft.