2015 MLB spring training thread

[Steak Snabler]

But the commissioner could still suspend him at his own discretion.

 

[Dick Whitman]

But the commissioner could still suspend him at his own discretion.

And then later add some more games. #NFL

 

[YankeeFan]

I'm not sure the Josh Hamilton story is going to have a happy ending.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Brady Aiken, the #1 pick who turned down the Astros, didn't go to UCLA or, as it turns out, a junior college. He is working out at the IMG Academy and waiting for this year's draft.

Aiken is headed to Florida | UTSanDiego.com

Pretty interesting new option.

 

[JackReacher]

So remind me why they didn't agree to terms. Wasn't there something health-related going on?

 

[Steak Snabler]

Astros were worried about potential elbow problems and reneged on their original bonus offer. Cut it from $6.5 million to $5 million.

 

[LongTimeListener]

That's the Astros-friendly version.

The other version is that the Astros are too cheap and, in their analytics/Moneyball mindset, don't even want to sign their high picks. They ended up not signing any of their three first-rounders last year because their offer to Aiken was well under slot and they were going to devote the savings to a lower first-rounder, but when Aiken said no it killed that other deal too. Which is pretty wacky when you think about a team trying to skimp on the first overall pick.

 

[JackReacher]

They had three first-rounders last year? They get two this year, at least, right?

 

[Steak Snabler]

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

 

[JackReacher]

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.

 

[Steak Snabler]

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

 

[JC]

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

 

[LongTimeListener]

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

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.

 

[Steak Snabler]

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

 

[MTM]

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.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

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.

 

[Vombatus]

Plus the demands of agents.

 

[YankeeFan]

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

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

 

[outofplace]

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

 

[LongTimeListener]

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