10:45PM update: Unsigned from the first round are #1, 2, 6, 11-15, 22 & 30
10:15PM update: Still waiting
Reports from Peter Gammons are that all of the top ten save Strasburg have agreed to deals but all have not been announced
We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future – FDR
#1 by estuarj - August 17th, 2009 at 20:35
Final deal is 6 yrs, $17mil guaranteed, up to $32mil if he plays all 6 years in the bigs.
#2 by Brian Oliver - August 17th, 2009 at 20:36
That a guess?
#3 by estuarj - August 17th, 2009 at 20:43
Best guess, if I was a betting man (and I’m not) I’d say no deal.
#4 by Other Marc with a C - August 17th, 2009 at 21:02
Everyone getting signed is a good sign (pun intended) but no guarantee. It just means that Boras’ other clients can’t argue he was distracted.
SS is the one he wants to make a point with, we just have to hope SS wants to play more than he wants to make a point.
#5 by cjrugger - August 17th, 2009 at 21:14
this HAS to get done, for both sides sake
we need to be willing to go up to 20 mil, and I think it gets done last seconds
#6 by cjrugger - August 17th, 2009 at 21:14
this HAS to get done, for both sides sake
we need to be willing to go up to 20 mil, and I think it gets done last seconds
#7 by Wallyball - August 17th, 2009 at 21:26
Brian – assuming that SS signs, which kind of draft would you rather have? Something like the Nats, with 1 player with a super high upside, another quality but not blue chip player (Storen) and then several ok but apparently medium ceiling guys, or something like the Red SOx, Pirates or others (pick your team) that don’t have anyone with the ceiling of SS, but what looks like more players with higher ceilings than anybody other than SS? I think that, upon reflection, I might prefer the 2d route, given how hit or miss developing ballplayers (or injuries) can be. What is your view? It might be relevant for next year’s draft.
#8 by Brian Oliver - August 17th, 2009 at 21:29
Wally – Great question. I guess I’d lean towards quality from quantity.
#9 by Other Marc with a C - August 17th, 2009 at 21:30
My threshold has always been that 20M mark. The Nats HAVE to offer it, and move up more if they come down to 30M or less. They have to make a deal at 23M or less, or it is a failure on their part.
#10 by Wallyball - August 17th, 2009 at 21:35
Brian – sorry if I am being slower than usual, but when you say ‘quality from quantity’, do you mean several high ceiling players (#2) or getting the best guy in the draft, even if that means that you can’t take anyone else of significance (#1)?
I really hope that they change the rules to allow trading draft picks
#11 by Brian Oliver - August 17th, 2009 at 21:37
I’d prefer several high ceiling guys vice one super guy
#12 by Steveo - August 17th, 2009 at 22:07
Wally: I think thats a good question, but at the same time, the Pirates have said they would have taken Strasburg (which would have likely meant they would have drafted slot guys the rest of the way) had he been available.
While I don’t usually like putting all your eggs in one basket, for a talent like Strasburg I think you do it. But I think the Pirates made the right call bypassing Crow, White, the HS arms ect. (Green i’m still on the fence about) and going for a lot of upside players. I do agree with you that its too bad they couldn’t have traded back and taken Sanchez in a spot more deserving of his potential.
#13 by Andrew Stebbins - August 17th, 2009 at 22:11
Because no one wants to pick #1 overall. When you don’t, you have a better opportunity to take a different approach.
#14 by Steve - August 17th, 2009 at 22:17
ESPN website reports at 9:06 p.m.
Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports the Nats have made a $17 million offer, with easily attainable incentives that could push it beyond $20 million.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/features/rumors?addata=2009_insdr_mod_mlb_xxx_xxx
#15 by Steve - August 17th, 2009 at 22:20
Sorry, 9:06 a.m. so may be old news.
I’ve got to stop drinking at night ;).
#16 by Nationals Fan - August 17th, 2009 at 22:28
Most fans are speaking from the heart. There is no way that they can offer 20 million to this guy. It would change the draft forever, although maybe for the better, as I would see some real bonus “caps” implemented after such a fiasco. I would think 12 to 15 million is a possibility, but is also too high a price to pay for unproven talent.
#17 by RD - August 17th, 2009 at 22:32
I don’t think Strasburg is going to change the draft forever. The reason he’s likely to get this type of money is because he’s a rare talent. As some have put it, the best ever. This doesn’t mean that Anthony Renaudo is going to command similar type money next year, etc.
If anything, all the extreme over slot payments for later round picks is what will change the draft. Not paying for the best draft eligible player ever.
#18 by Wallyball - August 17th, 2009 at 22:33
Harper update from BA
Spotlight Burns
Bryce Harper (Las Vegas HS), the 16-year-old catching phenom, was the marquee attraction at the Aflac game, and while he showed his premium defensive tools, his offensive performance was underwhelming. He grounded out twice and struck out three times, rifling his batting helmet into the dugout after his third whiff.
Over the past several weeks, scouts have been whispering that Harper was off of his game. Those suspicions were validated in San Diego. He could not catch up to a decent fastball and was badly fooled by every curve, flailing and missing badly. Harper’s swing, sound previously, has gone backwards. He is far too long on the back end, he is lunging and diving at pitches, and his timing is drastically inconsistent.
Harper is the subject of more publicity than any high school player in history, some of the hype coming from this publication. Most of it came when Sports Illustrated placed Harper on its cover and proclaimed him “The Chosen One.” Currently, Harper is attempting to finish high school two years early in order to play at CC of Southern Nevada and be draft eligible in 2010.
Judging from his ordeal on Sunday night, no 16-year-old, no matter how gifted or talented, can reasonably be expected to perform at fantastic or unrealistic levels. Harper undoubtedly felt the pressure of outlandish expectations in San Diego. Perhaps everyone—scouts, media, agents, fans, etc.—should back off Harper a shade and permit him to be a teenager and develop at a less accelerated rate.
#19 by RD - August 17th, 2009 at 22:45
Yeah, watched the AFLAC game this morning on DVR. Harper was impressive defensively b ut left a lot to be desired at the plate.
I really wouldnt be worried though. Everyone’s entitled to an off game, especially in an all star game where some big time guys are trying to establish themselves.
He’ll learn a lot playing at the junior college level next year, with kids 2-4 years older with more developed pitching arsenals.
#20 by Dick Salmon - August 17th, 2009 at 22:47
Don’t get excited about Harper. Only way Nats get him is if Pittsburgh and KC get scared off by his price and one of them takes Strasburg because the Nats don’t. It looks like we’ll get the 4th pick in the draft next year unless we get second and fifth. It is clear that Nats won’t finish with the worst record.
#21 by Nationals Fan - August 17th, 2009 at 22:49
SS would be the 4th or 5th guy in the last 25 years with “rare” talent, and while all were drafted at the top of the first round, none of them went on to great careers. THere is simply no history in giving away this type of money to a pticher with “rare” talent. Save the money and learn a valuable lesson for next year.
#22 by Todd Boss - August 17th, 2009 at 22:58
How is it that Heyman continues to report $12.5M but other “sources” have a $17M deal on the table? Is this an example of Heyman-as-Boras-mouthpiece?
#23 by Brian Oliver - August 17th, 2009 at 23:00
Todd – I cannot believe the number is $12.5M
#24 by catocony - August 17th, 2009 at 23:00
There’s a big difference between a college junior and a high school junior. If I were a GM I’m not sure I would even bother to draft high schoolers in the first round or two. Stick to the college guys with a bit of a track record. A good college team in a decent conference is equivalent to high A ball, the best high school teams are not at GCL level. Bryce Harper could become Johnny Bench, he may end up being Johnny Estrada, he could be Erick San Pedro. Look at Brandon Snyder in the O’s system, he was the stud catcher 3-4 years ago, he’s now a 1st baseman and still rattling around in the mid-minors.
#25 by RD - August 17th, 2009 at 23:22
Just because the Nats have played well recently doesn’t mean they won’t end up with the worst record. The other teams could go on a winning streak, we could revert to early season form, etc. Im not counting on landing on Harper, just saying we definitely have a real shot at the top spot.
As for the numbers, the 12.5 number has been out all day. That was probably what the Nats offered the other day. The increase to 17 has probably occured over the course of the day.
#26 by wiggles - August 17th, 2009 at 23:23
They should offer 15 million now and take 500,000.00 off every 5 minutes till the deadline.
#27 by Brian H - August 17th, 2009 at 23:48
Karns signed per BA. Hope this isn’t a precursor to losing SS.
#28 by Rich - August 18th, 2009 at 00:03
The bell has tolled. I bet no deal.
#29 by Kyle - August 18th, 2009 at 00:12
ESPN just reported SS signed for $15.67M. No other confirmation. They switched over to NFL Live.