Comments on: One day to go, will they or won’t they?

By: andyb

andyb — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:20:15 +0000

Johnson is a toolsy outfielder who unfortunately has had several knee surgeries (I think one on each ACL). Fell in the draft because of the injury concerns. He is a Mormon, so I suppose a 2-year mission is a possibility as well. Not sure if that cuts into the rule 5 eligibility time.

By: danimal

danimal — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:00:56 +0000

so Cedric Johnson also signed.. 19th rounder.. any info on him??

By: jp

jp — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:42:16 +0000

Andy,the system is not working because teams are busting slot.{phillies included}The slot recommendations are their so all teams can have an equal playing field.The teams that are seriously breaking slot are basically hurting the smaller market teams.Some teams just dont have the revenue to compete with the Tigers,NY teams,Boston and some others.I think the ire comes from other execs other than selig.Me personally if i was a lower revenue team i wouldnt make any deals with the likes of detroit.

By: allentown

allentown — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:41:58 +0000

If the Phillies thought enough of Workman to make him a 3rd round pick, then he definitely is worth $350K. The draft has been a more cost effective way to get major league talent than FA signings. Major league salaries continue to climb. It was very arbitrary and totally lacking any economic or common sense foundation for Selig to set a persoanal dicta that bonuses will be 10% less this year than last year. With baseball inflation picking up again ($25 mill for Eaton, anyone?) it would have made a lot more sense for the commish to increase the slot $ by 5 or 10% over last year and lean harder on teams to stay within slots. Progressive organizations doubtless view the shrinking of the slots as a bad joke. Last year’s slot $ for Workman’s slot was $320K (the guy picked there actually signed for $850K, but was an outlier as was the guy signed two picks later for $400K but that is the nature of the draft in the real world). Add 9% to last year’s slot and you get the $350K Workman was asking for. Not unreasonable for the slot. Reasonable kid and advisor. Unreasonable commish.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:08:51 +0000

And another thing. jp, it looks like many teams are planning on SERIOUSLY breaking slot for their early picks – first round in particular. So it’s not like it’s a few renegades messing up the system. It’s more like people know the system’s not working, which makes those who follow it seem a little “pound-foolish.”