Allfrank kindly commented that Alderson signed. Here is an article I found in East Valley Tribune. He signed for slot money, about $1.3M, since all the picks around him signed already and that's about where he would fit in. He is headed to the Arizona Giants rookie league on Monday, then would head for Salem-Keizer short season A-ball if he does well in the rookie league. I don't see how he doesn't with his remarkable control but you never know.
He hasn't been pitching, just working out, while waiting/negotiating, so he is eager to start pitching again. I guess he stopped pitching so as not to endanger his arm before signing. That would be smart.
As I had noted in a post or comment when asked whether he or Bumgarner was going to sign, he stated his conflicting feelings once Oregon (he signed with them) won the World Series, "It just looked so cool. (But) I wasn't going to turn the money down." Would take some balls to turn down over $1M, which seems to end up being Boras clients.
I would understand holding out for more money once you establish your major league value, but if you are young, 18, 21, and you can get $1M or more to play baseball, I cannot understand why any first round draftee is ever unsigned, as he risks injuring himself before signing a contract plus you are delaying your chances of becoming a major leaguer. I know some have done that, I just don't understand it. But, se la vie, that's their life, their choices, if that money is more important than starting their professional baseball career, they have that right and responsibility to not sign until he gets what he wants.
Since I found this, I thought I would try Bumgarner. He signed intent with University of North Carolina, but, according to this article on June 27, "he is almost certain to turn pro this summer, according to sources close to the situation."
ReplyDeleteI also found a note that the Giants expect to sign all three first round picks.
I also found that the OF that Carlos Gomez was wondering why Minnesota picked him over Fairley signed for below slot money ($750K, that's 40th pick overall money plus pushed everyone else down one). Plus he signed within a week of the draft - clearly he and the Twins had a pre-draft deal for a lower bonus if they selected him. Good for us, I like Fairley and hope he signs soon and watch some go up there (hit some homers).
Bumgarner looks to be around $1.7M in bonus, as #8 signed for $1.8M and #13 signed for $1.575M.
Fairley looks to be around $1.0-1.1M, based on #26 signed for $1.19M and #32 (ours) signed for $916K.
Martin, do you happen to know how strong or weak the '08 draft is? And do you know how it breaks out as far as HS pitching, college pitching, HS hitting, college hitting?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am about to break down and subscribe to one of the specialist sites. I am considering Baseball Prospectus. Any recommendations? Especially if I am going to subscribe to just one?
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I'm no expert on the draft, but I have read that the 2008 class is suppose to be good for college hitters.
ReplyDeleteAbout subscriptions, first, I've never subscribed, but that's mainly because I'm a cheap Chinese (a redundent statement if there's ever been one :^).
What are you looking for from the subscription? BP gives you both MLB and MiLB information, plus data galore. But it's all greek to me, I understand the concepts for their innovations but I don't like black boxes that spits out numbers like that. Also, they clearly don't like Sabean so a lot of their writing about them is slanted, in my view, though I like Goldstein's work (he was stolen from Baseball America though). If you don't want to think about it and just follow their thinking, then that's probably for you. I do buy their book every year.
If you only want prospect information plus draft info galore, then Baseball America is for you. They also discuss trades too, but nothing really on major leaguers. I've bought their book this year and liked it, and I've been thinking about buying back annuals via used book stores or Amazon's similar service (but hate the shipping and handling, almost as much as the book).
The Hardball Times have articles that I find very interesting to read plus a lot of data using more advance sabermetric metrics, so I would recommend them. Plus they are free. Their writers also write for a publication called "Heater" or something like that, where they give all sorts of stats and stuff on a subscription basis. I've been buying their annuals, which I've frankly been disappointed with, but since I read their stuff, I thought I would support them in this way. Same with BP.
There is also Ron Shandler's Baseball HQ website. Subscription and, of course, I rave about their research and theories. But their material is fantasy baseball oriented, so you get player info, you get top prospect info, you get some theory on fantasy baseball. They have a free friday newsletter if you want to get a flavor for what they provide. I think there is an archive on-line somewhere so you can see all the free content they have sent out on Fridays during the season.
Don't know if any fill your bill, what do you think you want most from such a service?
thanks as always martin. so there is no official news on bumgarner or fairley signing? i wanna see them play!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, but hold the thanks: the Merc noted yesterday that Alderson is not officially signed yet but probably will be over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've read that prospects have been holding back on signing until more around them signs. Most have signed around Alderson, but not around Bumgarner or Fairley, just Revere for Fairley and all the way to Noonan on the other side. So it will take a while longer.
I subscribe to both BP and BA and I lean towards BP most of the time.
ReplyDeleteThey have a bunch of excellent writers that cover interesting topics. I think BP is one of the best resources of baseball info on the net and its moderately priced.
I think BP does really fair and level headed analysis for whats its worth.
I've only been on BA for a week or so but I like it so far. Like Martin said, its more about prospects than anything.
If I had to chose I'd probably take BP over BA since it covers more stuff than BA does.