The 4PM CT deadline for teams to sign their draft picks has now passed. The biggest storyline is that the Mets and first-round pick Kumar Rocker could not come to an agreement. Reports indicate that there was a dispute between the team and Rocker’s camp about a health issue, though the exact nature of any supposed injury is not known for sure.
Mike Puma of The New York Post says the Mets didn’t make Rocker an offer. Speculatively speaking, that would indicate that the difference of opinion about the alleged medical issue was wide enough that they were nowhere near finding common ground.
Draft notes from elsewhere…
- Ian Browne of MLB.com passes on some words from Chaim Bloom about team’s inability to sign second-round pick Jud Fabian. “We knew that if we were unable to sign him, we would be able to get the pick again next year. That made it worth the risk in our minds.” The Red Sox will receive the 41st draft pick in next year’s draft as compensation.
Earlier Updates
- The Astros failed to sign fourth-round selection Alex Ulloa, according to a team announcement. Since the Astros were not allowed to make a selection in the first or second round as punishment for 2017’s sign stealing scandal, this is perhaps even more of a disappointment than it would appear on its surface. Ulloa is an 18-year-old shortstop out of Florida’s Calvary Christian Academy.
- The Rangers agreed to terms with second-round selection Aaron Zavala, according to Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline. In a later tweet, Callis provided further context. The outfielder signed for $830K, less than half of the $1.95MM slot value for his pick. Callis adds that, similar to the Rocker situation, there was a post-draft medical issue. But unlike with Rocker, the two parties were able to put pen to paper in this instance.
Terrible and typical Met decision! This guy will be a star. And probably get drafted by the Braves next year.
Marlins 😉
Nationals
noway boys! Rangers are gonna pick way ahead of you!
Philly
Wait… This news on Rocker really confuses me. Did MLB change the draft rules since the Braves Carter Stewart debacle? That Braves had to formally offer Carter Stewart at least 40% of his slot value for them to be able to get a replacement 1st round pick the following draft. If the Mets didn’t offer Rocker anything doesn’t that mean they forfeit the replacement pick and now get nothing for the 1st round pick they spent on Rocker? If that’s the case they really did screw this up. If they were so afraid Rocker would accept less than half his slot value they gave up a 1st round pick just to avoid risking it that’s pretty stupid. Even if he’s injured he still has to be considered better than nothing.
“Multiple sources said that the Mets were unaware of Rocker’s arm issues until he traveled to New York in mid-July for his post-Draft physical. Although the two sides could have negotiated a lesser deal than the $6 million pact they agreed to around Draft time, Mets officials were concerned enough by Rocker’s medicals that they did not even make him an offer, according to a source, as they preferred having the No. 11 pick in next year’s Draft instead. . .
Rocker could have avoided the situation by consenting to an MLB-sponsored program that shares the medical information of top Draft pitchers, but he risked falling precipitously on Draft boards if his MRIs revealed significant elbow or shoulder issues. As such, sources said that Rocker did not participate, which allowed the Mets to decline signing him without even making an offer.”
Found this elsewhere on the web, and I believe Rocker indeed did not provide a voluntary MRI:
A club is not required to offer a drafted player at least 40% of the slot value in order to be eligible to receive a compensation draft pick if the player does not sign if the drafted player is one of the Top 50 pitchers designated by the MLB Commissioner’s office prior to the draft and the pitcher declined to submit an MRI
Ahhh. So I guess Carter Stewart’s injury didn’t show up on the MRI because it was in his wrist and not elbow or shoulder related.
The 40% rule is not applied if a player does not submit medicals. Rocker did not. The Mets may have gambled were happy enough to have the #11 pick in 2022 if the list draft medicals proved to be a problem.
I had the same question. I thought the team had to make a good faith offer in order to get the pick the next year,. and I thought it was 60%
If there was a possibility of a bad arm issue how is that a bad decision? Especially with the injury history of that team who has had no luck in the injury department?
Depending on the issue it is not a bad decision. Just look back to the Astros and Aiken. He was the first overall pick in 2014 and the Astros refused to sign him after looking at his medical records. I even remember Baseball America going hard at the Astros criticizing the decision.
The following year the Astros then used the 2nd overall pick to draft Alex Bergman and Aiken was taken 17th overall by the Indians. Aiken was supposed to be an ace level talent, but hasn’t pitched above A ball and is considered one of the biggest busts in the modern draft era.
Yea Aiken worked out. But the Astros got the 2nd overall pick as comp. there’s a very high chance they’re getting an elite draftee at 2
The Mets got an elite draftee at 10. And they’re betting they’ll get another elite draftee next year. It’s really not the same. The safety of 2 vs 11 is huge
vinsc
If there was a possibility of a bad arm issue how is that a bad decision?
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It is only an issue to fans that think they are doctors, and think they have already examined Rocker’s arm, or think they are psychics.
It’s a bit like the Boston writers declaring that the RS made a bad move not accepting Graterol.
The bottom line is that fans have to accept to diagnosis of the medical doctors that examined him. It’s always possible to make a mistake, but these guys are the best in their fields.
Very presumptuous of you to say. Have you seen the MRIs. Mets cannot comment because of privacy laws. They were clearly prepared to pay over slot up to $6million. Team decide #11 2022 pick including the corresponding slot money was a better option.
The fact that the Mets agreed to a $6M bonus with Rocker tells me they were very excited to draft him and get him in their system. The medicals must have been pretty bad for them not only to pivot away from their $6M offer, but to not even give him a counter offer. It sure feels like Rocker knew his medicals were not great (otherwise he would have provided them up front), but I’m surprised we haven’t heard anything else from Rocker or Boras about this except that they didn’t agree with the Mets’ medical assessment. Now Rocker has to go back to Vandy, most likely get injured and have some type of arm/elbowsurgery that will completely tank his draft position and signing bonus. I’m surprised that Boras didn’t advise him (he was only his advisor and not his agent) to negotiate any sized signing bonus, even $2M – $3M, to get in the system, get surgery and rehab on the Mets dime. If he gets seriously injured next season, he’ll be lucky to sign for $500K when he re-enters the draft. Sounds like a blown opportunity on both sides as you would think the Mets would take a chance on him with a lower signing bonus. Just look at the Dodgers and Walker Buehler; that worked out quite well for LA despite Buehler’s TJS diagnosis.
They planned to go over slot to 6M. But 4,739,900 was his slot value. So they could have dropped offer all the way to 1,895,960
Whether they were shocked at the medicals now, or they were well aware and hoping to use the injury to pressure Boras to a lower bonus is a moot point. Either way it’s a 4M+ Difference from original offer
If Rocker+Boras say I won’t take less than slot+Mets say nah this is too severe & we’re offering the minimum allowed, does a formal offer change anything?
Sounds like a blown opportunity on both sides
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There is very little downside for the Mets. They drop one slot in the draft.
Otherwise, you are 100% correct. Rocker should’ve accepted whatever was out there and had the surgery, if needed.
If he’s drafted by the Braves, then he’ll probably just end up injured or unable to throw strikes.
wrong
So far every player that a team passed on because of medical issues has been a bust in the pros.
They didn’t sign rocker cause he is damaged goods Cohen is not stupid its sad but that is the only logical reason so any team that wants to sign him go ahead. The mets are paying for all the pitching injuries..boras isn’t going to tell all…just like conforto batting 190 but he will ask for 250. Million let him and rocker sign elsewhere
Unacceptable by the Mets, Sandy should be fired immediately
I bet you would say the exact same thing if the Mets signed him then it came out he had more serious medical issues than previously disclosed.
And heaven forbid it came out that the Mets knew about it and still signed him
Boras warned teams about something that might have sent Rocker’s draft stock plummeting? Yea, I don’t buy that at all.
I don’t think Boras warned teams about Rocker at all. I think he slid due to bonus demands. You might be thinking of Matt Allen who Boras warned about the year before (and sure enough, TJ surgery within a year).
Why? Teams draft guys that are currently out with TJ surgery all the time. Walker Buehler was one of those guys. The Mets should not be rewarded for both jerking this guy around and not doing due diligence before the draft.
Didn’t the Mets sign Ginn who was coming back from TJ surgery? Buehler agreed to signed for less money than the slot value. The Mets were operating with the same information as all other teams, which was limited since Rocker did not participated in pre draft physicals. It doesn’t which team would have selected him, they would have discover whatever created the impasse after the fact. Perhaps another team would have been ok with whatever the issue is but clearly the Mets were not.
Yeah, I think it was the discovery/concern about his arm and Boras still looking for the 6M. I don’t think the Mets had the intent of wasting a pick this year when they’re looking for college pitching at his caliber/level. It must’ve been something serious enough to make them walk away.
I’m not sure you can have your doctors examine the draftees prior to the draft.
Unacceptable post! Does not substantiate claim with facts or reasoning.
Thank you, Perry Mason.
Cohen needs to delete his Twitter. Potential lawsuits are going to come out of recent tweets.
That’s not how Twitter works
@Overrated I don’t mean lawsuits from Twitter. I mean lawsuits from the players union and/or Rocker’s camp based on what Cohen’s been saying.
That’s quite presumptuous. I guess you got to see the medical reports and have the inside track.
If you think that’s unacceptable, what about Oakland drafting Kyler Murray, never signing him, and NOT getting a draft pick back for him!!!! HOW????
A Met backfire again
Actually, it’s not. If it were a complete loss of the pick, it would be. They’ll get #11 in the 2022 draft in addition to whatever pick they would normally have. I would gather that slot money for the #10 slot this year transfers to next year, too. The money above slot should be allocated to any of their picks that were offered below slot value this year in an effort to sign Rocker.
No, the slot money from the 10th pick does not transfer to next year. They get the slot money for pick 11, for their true first rounder, for their true second rounder and any CB picks they might have but the slot money for the Rocker pick is gone.
Why isn’t kumar going back to Vandy, does he not wanna blow his elbow being abused by the NCAA?
“Abused by the ncaa” Insert eyeroll
… NCAA and colleges abuse their players don’t deny it
@ tstats;
Perhaps you can lead a movement to provide safe spaces to NCAA student athletes on campi.
Start negotiations by burning down all colleges athletic facilities and stadiums. That’ll demonstrate how sensitive you are about the way the athletes are being treated.
Maybe 20+ years ago. The best programs now watch pitches thrown pretty closely.
I think abuse is a pretty strong word for giving guys a free education and letting them play baseball. Rocker has been pitching his whole life. Just look at the number of quality big league starters from Vandy. They don’t abuse pitchers. Or if they do, it doesn’t hurt their ability to become quality major league players.
I remember reading about 11 years ago how much Matt Harvey’s pitch counts were in college (drafted in 2010). It was real high (like way over 130 in a game a few times), and he was plagued with injuries 5 years later.
Sounds like plan, should I add you to the group chat?
@tstats
Close. My take is his arm is fragile. If it wasn’t he would go back to school and prove all is good. with whatever his ailment is. And go higher in next year’s draft
Instead, he will do a year of rehab, platelet injections, whatever, to hopefully be healthy.
This “kid” is not a kid. He is already 21 and will be 22 before Thanksgiving if he is headed for a Tommy John surgery he will not pitch competitively minors or ptherwise until he is 24. Very “unlike” Walker Buehler’s situation. If you think Boras didn’t tell the kid to pass on the MRI you are naive. And the reason he will not go to Vanderbilt is because he’d have to throw competitively and thus could may need that surgery before next year’s draft. Therefore it may be rehab and a “showcase” so maybe the medicals wont look so ugly next year.
Thank for making sure these kids use the word kid properly….ah who am I kidding, these dang kids are never going to change
Teams don’t necessarily shy away from elbows with excellent success rate for TJ surgery. Would not be surprised if a shoulder issue pops up.
What about the kid the kid from Ole Miss that who had to have TJ surgery? Are you going to blame the NCAA for that too?
Where did you come up with this BS?
I guess high schools should get blamed by your logic too.
Alex Ulloa has a briiiiiiiiight future ahead of him. He’s going to be a 1st round pick in the next few years.
This really just reminded me how the astros basically got no punishment
I have no idea how they are related but it’s always a good time to remind people that that title is a fraud and those who cheer it are living a lie.
Hard to say the Mets blew it with out knowing the health issue.
If you dont make a minimum offer that is a certain percent of slot you lose the pick entirely and get nothing next year. Should not have at least offered the minimum for the pick.
They get the 11th pick next year because rocker didn’t provide a medical before the draft.
Read the comment above. Because he had not participated in the pre-draft MRI submission, they did not have to make him an offer to receive compensation.
Why would ANY organization draft a pitcher that will not agree to participate in the MLB MRI disclosure program? How could you take such a risk??
That’s an interesting point, but I’ll bet he wasn’t the only one. A better question is, why isn’t it a set-in-stone requirement that they submit it?
You’ll have to ask the players union.
Actually it is very common for the top talents to not provide medicals. some do but done don’t aldo without issue.
Could be a good reason why he dropped to #10.
Drafting someone under those conditions is a risk the Mets were willing to take, but once they had more information they decided to walk away. Nothing wrong with that. The player was also risking this exact scenario playing out when they decided not to participate.
Gee,,,,,,,
On draft day all I read in the comment section here was how the Mets outfoxed all the other teams regarding Mr. Rocker.
So since Rocker won’t be going back to Vandy, could he sign with an indepedent league team then re-enter the draft, or does he have to wait until next year and can’t participate in any pro-ball? I doubt he’d do indy ball, but theoretically speaking.
I believe he could pitch professionally. This happened with Aaron Crow a few years ago. Did not sign when drafted out of Mizzou, then was drafted out of Independent ball. I am not sure if they have changed the rules though. I dont think he can go back to Vandy because he has hired an agent.
I remember studying all the stuff you can and can’t have under the NCAA if you are an amauture agent in some of my classes. Though this was before they started letting their athletes sell their likeness so I’m not sure if they’d allow agents for that or not.
All draft eligible players hire an “agent” but so long as they act only in an advisory role, the player can go back to college if they decide not to sign. I believe Rocker will be able to go back to Vandy if he wishes as Boras was just an advisor for him. Had he decided to sign with the Mets, he would have inked an actual agent deal with Boras prior to signing with the Mets so Boras could feed his family.
Boras could probably feed an army and not really change his lifestyle.
Correct, Boras is classified as an “advisor” in this case. Kumar could (…but probably won’t?) go back to Vandy.
He can play Indy ball.
I haven’t seen that last name Ulloa since Leicester City’s miracle run.
If the Mets refused to sign him because of health reasons then why should be have to wait another year to get drafted? If he doesn’t sign cause they can’t come to an agreement on money that’s a different situation. Seems like the Mets flat out refused to give him a contract. Seems like maybe he should be a free agent and allowed to sign with the highest bidder, like all the foreign players.
Koon44.. Blame MLB and MLBPA.. negotiated in agreement between the 2 parties..
Now.. HERE is something I picked up reading on the Soxprospects forums.. SENIORS, with *NO* eligibility left have the right to sign still that were drafted last month and included in each teams allocated amount to spend.
Don’t forget each team can spend up to 20k on NDFA
I’m not horribly surprised that Rocker’s health was in question. Rocker’s velocity was all over the place this year. He averaged 94-96 MPH at the begining of the year, but it got way spotty through the last third of the season, even reaching as far down as 90 MPH. Plus Vandy worked him like a dog. He tossed a total of 236.2 innings throughout all of his college career and 122 innings this year alone. Not to mention all the work they put him through in the post season. They rode him and Leiter until they couldn’t.
Fabian has K issues. Not sure I’d be confident enough to gamble the guaranteed money and go back for another year of potential regression or injury.
With Fabian’s power and good eye at the plate, I doubt he’s going to regress where he doesn’t get selected in the first round next year. Due to Covid eligibility rules, Fabian will be considered a Junior next season even though this will be his 4th year with Florida, so there will be no ‘senior discount’ on Fabian next season as he can play NCAA for two more seasons if he wishes to. Plus he was quite young for a 3rd (now 2nd) year player so he’ll only be 21 at next year’s draft. If he cuts down a bit on his K’s, he should be a Top 15-20 pick next year. I hated seeing Boston miss out on him but Fabian probably did what was best for him. You need to get as much money as you can up front in baseball because for the next 6+ years, the team owns you and doesn’t have to pay you much at all until the 2nd year of arbitration and that varies widely depending upon your success to date.
The Mets took a shot at getting someone who was supposed to go earlier. His refusal of the pre-draft physical was a signal. Obviously, his situation was much worse than the Mets expected. Given the later info, the Mets decided not to give him anything. While the Mets took a chance in the draft, I don’t blame them for not giving $6 million to someone who is both hurt and unproven.
I smell another Luke Hochevar career coming..
Yeah there was an article during the College World Series that noted how much Rockers velocity had dropped
Does this affect other mets draft picks? Since they’re not signing rocker they lose that slot money right?
Least they get the #11 pick next year so they’ll add slot money next year but man total bummer for Mets fans.
They were prepared to pay over-slot for Rocker, so they shouldn’t be up against any sanctions for not signing him.
Would only affect the other draft picks if after subtracting the slot value of their 1st round pick, they went 5% or more over the slot bonuses (in total) for their 2nd – 10th round slots. I don’t believe they did this so they should be fine and they will have a very large draft pool next year because they will have (2) first round picks and the corresponding slot bonuses for both of those picks (#11 & #20 something most likely).
Astros should have been banned from this year’s and next year’s draft. A couple of rounds is not much punishment.
What they should have done is prevented the Astros from participating in the IFA market; or at the very least impose the same sanctions they did on Atlanta (can’t sign anyone for over $300K). That would have been much worse than taking their 1st two draft picks away. So much talent is acquired in the IFA signing period.
More of a punishment than what the other teams got. Not only did they not lose picks, ignorant fans get to keep thinking they didn’t have a similar system.
At this point, with all the players that have made comments about other teams doing it, if you still think it was just the Astros then you are lazy, ignorant, and purposely ignoring the information that is out there.
To prove my point 75% of fans still think Altuve wore a buzzer………WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PROOF and multiple people saying not associated with the Astros saying it’s not true.
@TakeitBack: Wow. Need a tissue? Houston got caught and didn’t get sufficiently punished. The players got off scott free, which I can understand because the league totally botched it from the beginning. The team got a slap on the wrist. The players across the league seem to be really disgusted with the Astros in particular. I wonder why that is?
Are you serious?
100%. What do you disagree with? That other teams were doing it? Multiple players have come out and said this.
That Altuve didn’t wear a buzzer? MLB, Jeff Passan, and a number of other people have said this is ridiculous. Then there is the fact that there is ZERO proof that he did.
People that have no clue what the rules were regarding penalties should be banned from commenting.
Sucks for the Mets because you basically executed your entire draft strategy around being able to pay him over slot. I’m sure they would have drafted completely differently.
I agree with MajorLeague on this affecting the Mets draft strategy. I think the Mets should have taken someone later in the draft that was likely to return to school. That way if they could not sign Rocker they could throw that extra money at a later round talent with the hope they change their mind for the extra money.
That’s always the gamble you have with these guys. Even if you draft more over-slot guys, to account for someone not signing, then if they all accept over-slot money, you run into the same problem.
What you really need is to allow trading of draft picks. Rocker is an exception, but for every RS team not being able to sign Fabian, there will be another team, like the Mets, that already budgeted over-slot money for Rocker, and might accept a trade of Fabian in exchange for next year’s #1.
@MajorLeague79 yes but the thing that really sucks is this was obvious to everyone but the Mets?
As a long time Mets fan I live in Angel Honk land and root for the Angels since it does not conflict. I posted on MLBTR way before any news of Rocker right after the Angels passed and Drafted Bachman and Angel fans were upset on the pass of Rocker the following:
A guy that physically big, Rocker, does not suffer that great of a drop in velocity from fatigue and there must be something physically wrong with him. Fatigue would make his velocity drop as the game goes on but not from the start.
I am just a fan and if I could see this then why couldn’t the Mets and not protect themselves later in the draft. Secondly although common you cannot assume the physical damage is TJ and easily fixable.
Secondly Rocker refused the pre-draft physical, that should have been another red flag and thankfully allowed the Mets to walk away.
Another bad mark on old management under new ownership. 🙁 🙁 🙁
Let’s say the Mets had selected a HS player in a later round as insurance, but there was no issue with Rocker and he signed for the $6 mil. That means they would have selected someone even though they had zero intention of making a legitimate offer, how fair would that be to the player? What if they could have been convinced to forgo college if they received a legit offer but it just didn’t come because they were picked by a team that never intended to make an offer.
My conspiracy theory is that Chaim Bloom took Jud Fabian deliberately to screw their division rivals over.
Haha, that’s rich!
Help me out, here. Let’s say he has the MRI, images show damage, Mets offer less and to take care of the surgery, the rehab and he starts fresh sometime in late 2022. What does he lose compared to the current situation?
Now his decisions are under scrutiny, he’s not pitching next year, he’s not completing his education, there’s no guarantee he won’t need surgery in the future, which delays his career an additional 18 months. The question regarding TJS is seemingly not ‘if’, but rather ‘when’ with any pitcher.
That’s the million $$$ question. I think most MLB teams would draft a guy knowing he needs TJS. They just won’t draft him as though he was uninjured. S a guy like Rocker might fall from #4, without an injury, to #24 knowing he needed TJS.
I think that takes pressure off of both sides. This way, both sides can get the surgery out of the way without worrying about the $$$ angle. The issue here is that I don’t think the Mets want to spend a #10 on a guy needing surgery, and would prefer to wait for next year’s #11.
The issue is that Boras swears there is nothing wrong and wants his client to be paid as such. Maybe if Boras accepted there is an issue, however minor or major as it is, they could have come to a compromise. From the Mets perspective, if they couldn’t agree on the facts there was no point in negotiating.
Reading all these unsigned guys bringing back a draft pick really makes me wonder how the A’s somehow never signed Kyler Murray but also did NOT get a draft pick back for him – how badly did they screw that up????
Oakland did sign Murray for close to $5 mil but he had to give back a part of the money he had already received and forfeit the rest when he moved to the NFL. Since he was part of the organization then left the A’s didn’t get a pick back. They technically still own his rights if he ever decided to return to baseball
Unless the Mets can prove there was a medical issue, they don’t get a draft pick in 2022 for losing Rocker this season, right?
I scrolled up and found the answer. Because Rocker did not provide a medical prior to the draft the Mets did not have to make an offer and still get the #11 pick in the 2022 draft.
Mets front office knew the rules before you or I did. There’s no way they wouldn’t do the absolute minimum to get that comp pick even if Rocker is damaged goods.
Had Rocker submitted a a pre-draft medical they would have had to offer him 40% of his slot value.
Do any of you fools actually read the articles or do you just skip to the comments section to troll the teams you hate?
They didn’t sign rocker cause he is damaged goods Cohen is not stupid its sad but that is the only logical reason so any team that wants to sign him go ahead. The mets are paying for all the pitching injuries..boras isn’t going to tell all…just like conforto batting 190 but he will ask for 250. Million let him and rocker sign elsewhere