Baseball thread No. 7: Somebody slip the pinstripers a Mickey

When I wrote that perhaps they reached because there wasn't a true elite prospect available to them, that's pretty much what I had in mind.

I still don't trust that ownership group to stop fucking things up even if Huntington really does know what he's doing. I'll believe that they will draft and sign another elite prospect who is a tough sign when I see it happen.

You really think it was the baseball people that wanted to pass on Weiters in 2007?

 

My Nats/aggressive comment wasn't strictly about first-round picks, but about the entire draft, where the Bucs have shelled out $8.5 million on 23 picks with 24 hours to go until the deadline. The Pirates and Royals might be the two most aggressive teams from top to bottom in their drafts the past two years.

Re: Crow, the Royals have learned all about the headaches he can cause. They reportedly offered him $3 million and got turned down. I would be stunned if the Royals upped their offer, knowing Crow would do himself more harm than good not signing a second straight year with another good offer on the table.

 

Back to my earlier statement about Ryan Howard finding his power stroke. Two more home runs tonight.

 

Thanks much, Mr. Raburn. Although I should point out that the Royals held the Tigers to three runs through 19 innings over two games, and still only managed to win one. That's a special brand of suck.

I will deepen the pain this evening, weather permitting, by watching KC take on the Sox at the aptly-named Cell. If I can avoid Tom Gamboa's fate, then the evening will be a success, win or lose.

I should also point out that I'm in love with DirecTV... and the MLB network. I recorded the pine tar game on Saturday... tee-hee.

 

sorry, Moddy - I have to disagree. so the Nats made Crow a "good offer" and that they're allegedly offering Strasburg the most insane contract ever. we also hear all the time in the DC media about how the Lerners tried to open up the checkbook for Teixeria, but he decided on the Yanks instead. what are the fans supposed to say? "oh, well - good try?" is that how the Lerners approach their real-estate business too?

this is why the Nats are behind the 8-ball here, regardless of whether Boras is Satan (he is). the cheap-ass billionaire Lerners were handed a $611 million stadium - it's time for them to produce something (anything) in the way of results. they've refused to spend anything on starting pitching, allowed Jim Bowden to run amuck on and off the field - including his trade for 19 different "toolsy" outfielders (Milledge, Kearns, Pena, Dukes, etc.) and his signing of an impostor Dominican shortstop, peddled ticket packages to opposing fans at the expense of their own fans, and installed a manager with (I think) the worst winning percentage of any in baseball history with 10+ seasons of experience. and their fans also have to suffer through Rob Dibble on TV, which is bad enough.

the Strasburg thing is a marketing decision as much as it is a baseball one. it sucks to have to give Boras what he wants, and who knows whether Strasburg will turn into the next Brien Taylor- but if the Nats want to have any relevance they have to find a way to get it done. I don't think anyone is expecting a World Series anytime soon, but finishing within 15 games of first - or at least giving the impression that on-field success is important - should be a goal.

 

Yeah, Scott Boras gives such bad advice all the time that only the top three picks wanted to be represented by him.

It will be fun to watch this one play out tonight.

 

If Boras is advising Strasburg that he really doesn't want to play for the Gnats, that seems like pretty good advice.

 

Boras wouldn't be a tough ass negotiator if teams would show some balls and not give in to outrageou demands. He knows that teams are so fucking fearful of each other that they will pay out the nose for unproven talent.

 

There are plenty of good reasons for players to choose Boras as an agent, but the fact that three guys all under the age of 22 did so isn't the strongest argument.

The fact that he has done well for many clients in the past doesn't mean that he is giving Strasburg good advice now. If he overplays his hand and the kid ends up sitting out a season, that is a bad thing for his client. Obviously, this contract matters a great deal, but it shouldn't be the only one Strasburg worries about. Is it really worth hurting his career to squeeze out a few extra dollars now? Having to go back to college or play in some independent league rather than getting going on his pro career is not a good decision for any player.

 

Most everyone on here has probably heard this story, but Richie Ashburn once hit a woman in the stands with a foul ball, breaking her nose, then hit her again while the stadium medical staff was helping her from her seat.

http://www.inhistoric.com/

Strangely enough, it was actually 52 years ago today, Aug. 17, 1957.

 

Let's say Strasburg signs for $20 million. Is the signing bonus included, or will that be separate from the $20 mil? And are both sides working under the same contract length? Five years? Six years?

I'm completely ignorant when it comes to contracts, guaranteed money, signing bonuses, etc...