Could The Jays Increase Payroll?
Padres Sign Williams; Tate Is Now In San Diego
The Padres signed their second rounder and appear to be making progress with their first rounder…
- ESPN.com's Keith Law says the Padres signed second rounder Everett Williams to a deal worth $775k. Some teams considered taking Williams in the first round, but backed off because they feared his bonus demands. Now that he signed for less than $1MM, Law says those fears seem unfounded in hindsight. Williams projects as a top-of-the-order hitter who can play center field.
- Jim Callis of Baseball America hears that first rounder Donavan Tate is in San Diego to take a physical. However, this doesn't mean the Padres will sign Tate, who they selected third overall in June.
Royals Agree To Terms With Chris Dwyer
The Royals agreed to sign fourth rounder Chris Dwyer, according to a team press release. We heard last week that the sides had agreed on a $1.5MM deal, which would have been a record for the fourth round, but the Royals said they hadn't yet completed the deal with the lefty. The team hasn't said how much they agreed to pay Dwyer, who was a highly-regarded quarterback in high school. Jim Callis of Baseball America says the deal is for $1.45MM, just short of Max Stassi's record for a fourth rounder.
Miller Agrees To $2.9MM Deal With Cards
MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo hears that Shelby Miller has agreed to sign with the Cardinals for $2.9MM. They selected him 19th overall in the June draft. Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that Miller receives the biggest bonus of any first rounder to sign so far this year. It's the second-biggest bonus in Cardinals history.
Tigers Acquire Aubrey Huff
2:47pm: According to a team press release, the Tigers acquired Huff for minor league righty Brett Jacobson. The Orioles will assign Jacobson, who entered the year as the Tigers' 10th best prospect according to Baseball America, to Class-A Frederick.
2:43pm: Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Tigers are close to acquiring Aubrey Huff from the Orioles. The Tigers, who have been looking for a bat, can now play Carlos Guillen in the field, which gives them more flexibility. Huff makes $8MM and becomes a free agent after the season.
Rangers Release Vicente Padilla
The Rangers released struggling righty Vicente Padilla, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Padilla should clear release waivers Wednesday and become a free agent. Any team that signs him will then be responsible for paying him the pro-rated MLB minimum, with the Rangers paying the rest of his $12MM salary. Texas will also be responsible for a $1.75MM buyout after the season.
Brewers Sign Kentrail Davis For $1.2MM
Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that the Brewers signed outfielder Kentrail Davis for $1.2MM, the most any supplemental pick has received this year. ESPN.com's Keith Law, who was right on this one as well, notes that Davis had a disappointing sophomore year and may be limited to left field as a pro. The Brewers have now signed their top 18 picks.
Orioles Sign 11th Rounder For $995k
Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that the Orioles signed 11th round pick Michael Ohlman for $995k. Now the Orioles, who signed 22nd rounder Cameron Coffey for $990k last week, have awarded the two biggest bonuses to players drafted after the 10th round this year. Ohlman is a catcher with good power and arm stength, Callis says.
A’s, Stassi Agree To $1.5MM Deal
2:22pm: Baseball America's Jim Callis reports that the A's signed Stassi for $1.5MM, the biggest deal ever for a fourth rounder. The Royals had recently set a new mark for fourth round players, awarding Chris Dwyer $1.45MM a few days ago. Keith Law of ESPN.com, who was right on this signing as well, notes that the A's have acquired a first-round talent in Stassi. Even if they don't sign first rounder Grant Green, they'll still have signed one top player.
2:15pm: Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus hears that the A's have agreed to terms with Max Stassi. Baseball America estimates that MLB recommends a $237k bonus for Stassi's slot, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the fourth round catcher sign for considerably more.
Stephen Strasburg Rumors: Monday
2:01pm: Heyman hears that the Nats offered Strasburg $12.5MM.
12:35pm: Heyman hears that the Nats offered Strasburg more than $12MM. Scott Boras believes Strasburg's worth several times as much, but it's Strasburg's call in the end and it would be hard to turn down an eight-figure offer, even an "unfair" one. Still, Heyman says there's a good chance the two sides won't agree on a deal.
9:01am: With just 14 hours left before the deadline to sign draft picks, Stephen Strasburg is the one player everyone's watching most closely. Here's what everyone's saying about this year's first overall pick:
- Jon Heyman of SI.com will be surprised if Strasburg signs with the Nationals today.
- Yahoo's Jeff Passan expects the Nationals to sign Strasburg for about $20MM, but says the baseball world really revolves around Strasburg's agent, Scott Boras, this time of year.
- Boras tells Yahoo's Tim Brown that Strasburg is the best college pitcher he's even seen.
- But Chico Harlan of the Washington Post has some advice: Don't assume anything, no matter what you hear, until the deadline passes. Until then, "there's just no freakin' way to know what will happen."
- Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post shows that the Nationals and Scott Boras both have significant leverage in the negotiations.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says it makes no sense for Strasburg to turn down a record-setting offer.