2015 MLB spring training thread

They have 2 of the top 5 picks this year. No. 2 for not signing Aiken, and No. 5 is their regular pick.

 

What about the other first-round picks they didn't sign? Or do you only get a comp pick for your highest first-rounder if you fail to sign multiple?

My head hurts already.

 

Aiken was a first-round pick. Nix was a fifth-round pick.

 

Is this years draft considered better? Could that be why the Astros chose not to sign Aitken?

 

Ah, you're right.

That's what it was -- they were trying to pay him first-round slot money with the savings from the Aiken deal.

Which makes it even weirder, jacking up the #1 pick to make a fifth-rounder happy.

 

No, I think this year's draft is considered one of the weakest in several years, particularly with college talent.

 

I think I've written this here before, but why reward teams for failing to sign their draft picks?

They know where they're selecting and the price that comes with it. If they're too cheap, so be it.

Now every team is pushed down an extra spot because of their incompetence, bad scouting and/or cheapness.

 

Unlike other sports, MLB teams cannot trade draft picks. They are stuck with them and stuck with a finite amount of slot money at the same time. You rob Peter to pay Paul up the line and vice versa. Often none of those three things you mentioned comes into play when it comes to failing to sign a pick. More times than not it's the unreasonable demand of the parents of a draft pick. I've seen it three times locally already.

 

Plus the demands of agents.

 

Because it gives teams additional leverage in negotiating with draft picks.

 

The MLBPA "will be watching" how the Cubs handle Kris Bryant. Not that they can or will do anything about it if/when the Cubs send him to the minors to push back the start of his service clock. Seems like silly posturing to me.

Yes, Bryant is probably ready, though maybe not defensively. And yes, the Cubs are at least going to wait long enough to push back his first year of free agency. It is frustrating to watch a team that could be a contender do this, but I'm not sure what the union can do about it.

Union will be watching Cubs in Kris Bryant situation | CSN Chicago

 

Juan Pierre announces retirement, then follows it up:

Juan Pierre @JPBeastMode · Feb 27
I do have one regret I finished with 18 homeruns really wanted to get 20 so if any team wants to sign me for 3yrs that should be enough time