High Cost for Posey May Lead Rays to Draft Beckham
Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein reports that the Rays are leaning towards drafting Georgia HS SS Tim Beckham at this hour. The reason? Multiple sources are reporting that FSU C Buster Posey's agent is seeking a bonus of $12 million for his client, and that's sending the Rays ducking for cover.
Goldstein speculates that in an already-close debate on who to draft, this may prove to be the clincher, unless Posey's bonus demands drop downward before draft hour.
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Why should he drop his bonus demands?
It worked for Porcello. Teams with cash will gladly fork over that $$$ to get one of the top kids from a late first round pick.
The draft is broken if the point is to get the best talent to the lowest teams.
RJ is not an elitist douchebag who hates scouting
What is the difference?
You could make the case that HS is a bigger risk for an 8 figure bonus since they are almost certainly farthwer from their potential than the college guy.
All that matters is whether the market will bear $12MM for Posey. I think several teams would do that rather than take a lower guy on the board at the end of the first tound.
RJ is not an elitist douchebag who hates scouting
Let's just hope he doesn't slip too far.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on Jun 5, 2008 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Disappointing that this could make the decision for us.
But if Beckham’s the pick there’s nothing wrong with it.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
No.
I’m disappointed that our hands could be forced, I’m fine with Beckham being the pick, in fact I was on the Beckham boat until I saw his swing, remember?
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on Jun 5, 2008 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Fair Enough.
I think his swing is something that can be fixed relatively easily, so its not a huge problem IMO.
Yeah, I think he'll be fine.
Just get him signed quick.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on Jun 5, 2008 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Ot:
but anyone know if Beckham will be @ draft tomorow. Wanna bring my camera. Did last year but Price was not there so it was kind of a disappointment.
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
BELIEVE in 08!
I know Posey will.
I’d imagine they’ll have the top 4-5 prospects there, but I don’t know for sure.
"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena
by R.J. Anderson on Jun 5, 2008 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't understand the rules
Since Posey has hired an agent, doesn’t that mean he either must sign or go play in an independent league while waiting it out a year? It would seem Beckham would be in a better position, option-wise, to demand a huge bonus.
Or is his agent still just an “advisor”?
Yes
His agent is still an “advisor” for the purposes of avoiding the breaching of NCAA amateur eligibility.
by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 5, 2008 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Draft the best player!! The cost shouldn’t matter, especially considering you’ll get higher returns (more $$$) at the MLB level.
Yes it should
Cost means everything. It is all a matter of the value you’re getting, and $12 million is an obscene amount to ask for, especially when Posey is not the consensus No. 1 pick. If he were the top talent by universal acclaim, that would be one thing, but Beckham is just as well-regarded. There is no reason for the Rays to give into those absurd bonus demands.
by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 5, 2008 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Money is always the deciding factor
Especially when the talent levels of the two players are negligible.
by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 5, 2008 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
The draft is extremely flawed
The player’s association is shooting themselves in the foot on this one. They need to set up a firm slot compensation schedule so that the worst teams are getting the best available talent. They made an effort with the draft pick compensation for unsigned picks but it’s still not good enough.
www.citadel-insurance.com
Why is the Player's Association shooting themselves in the foot?
Seems to me that avoiding a slotting system is the way to go to maximize the $$$ that new players get. It makes perfect sense for them.
by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 5, 2008 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
If you allow teams to trade picks
You’d have the same end result as we have now. Small market teams trading down to the large market teams so they won’t have to pay huge bonuses upfront. Plus it’s not like the NBA where there is only two rounds or the NFL where there is only 7. Those leagues expect their picks to contribute immediately where the MLB expects development within a six years out of high school and two or three years out of college.
www.citadel-insurance.com
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