Bascom and Arietta, almost wrapped up...

[Moose Milligan]

Heard on the radio broadcast postgame show that Bascom and Arietta are pretty much all but done and signed. I think Tom Davis said it.

They had a quick interview with Joe Jordan and he said the contract talks with Wieters will start in a week to 10 days...

[miamibird51]

great news

[dcterp]

Interesting stories and quotes from the local TX papers - sounds like the Orioles drafted him once they had a mutual understanding on both sides what it would take to get a deal done.


Arrieta Gets Drafted (http://www.mckinneymessenger.com/articles/2007/06/08/plano_star-courier/sports/sports_00001.txt)


And as the rounds went by, Arrieta remained confident that his time would come. “I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get picked earlier in the day, but I think things are going to work out really well,” Arrieta said. “We waited for the deal we wanted and got it. I was selected by the team that wanted me the most.”


Forrt Worth Sta Telegram (http://www.star-telegram.com/284/story/129733.html)


Arrieta, who was considered a first-round pick before the season, said he believes he was taken by a team willing to meet his contract demands. Arrieta -- a Scott Boras client -- wouldn't reveal his asking price but said he expects to sign a deal soon with the Orioles that could pay him first-round money.

"I went somewhere that I will get a good deal," said Arrieta, who went 9-3 this year. "I really think I am going to get a fair deal and a deal that resembles my value.

"They know what kind of player I am."

[Jagwar]

Heard on the radio broadcast postgame show that Bascom and Arietta are pretty much all but done and signed. I think Tom Davis said it.

They had a quick interview with Joe Jordan and he said the contract talks with Wieters will start in a week to 10 days...

Just curious... why would they wait so long to start contract talks with Wieters? Wouldn't they already have done some of the legwork before drafting him, especially with Boras as his agent?

I would think that they would put Wieters at the top of their priority list, seeing as how he is their number 1 pick. Is that just an unrealistic thing to expect?

[geschinger]

I would think that they would put Wieters at the top of their priority list, seeing as how he is their number 1 pick. Is that just an unrealistic thing to expect?

Probably. It'll be interesting to see how the new rules change things but in the past with a player like Wieters the process would take until the deadline to sign. Until the deadline is reached Boras asks for the moon and isn't willing to be reasonable. At the deadline a client like Weaver or Drew ends up signing for a $4m signing bonus or a $5m MLB contract whereas they were demanding double that beforehand.

I'm not sure why it would be an different with Wieters unless the O's cave in and decide to throw money away just to get him signed quickly.

[Jshkrauss]

Just curious... why would they wait so long to start contract talks with Wieters? Wouldn't they already have done some of the legwork before drafting him, especially with Boras as his agent?

I would think that they would put Wieters at the top of their priority list, seeing as how he is their number 1 pick. Is that just an unrealistic thing to expect?

They are probably waiting for a couple of other high 1st rounders to sign, to use as a benchmark. Obviously Scott Boras will throw all benchmarks out the window, but that's probably the thinking.

[clapdiddy]

Just curious....where do "those in the know" think that Arietta and Bascom will go if they are signed in the next week or two?

[scarey1999]

Just curious... why would they wait so long to start contract talks with Wieters? Wouldn't they already have done some of the legwork before drafting him, especially with Boras as his agent?

I would think that they would put Wieters at the top of their priority list, seeing as how he is their number 1 pick. Is that just an unrealistic thing to expect?I read something somehwere (sorry, no link!) that Jordan said there would be a "7-10 day cooling off period" before they started negotiations. I would tend to agree with your line of thinking, but I'm sure this is par for the course with the big name, big ticket type of player.

This is slightly OT, but I always wondered the same thing about the NFL. Teams REALLY seem to drag their feet trying to get draftees signed. I know there are usually cap issues, releases etc to deal with, but you would think the teams might want to get the youngsters suited up and at camps ASAP.

[geschinger]

This is slightly OT, but I always wondered the same thing about the NFL. Teams REALLY seem to drag their feet trying to get draftees signed. I know there are usually cap issues, releases etc to deal with, but you would think the teams might want to get the youngsters suited up and at camps ASAP.

It's all about money. Players at the top are hesitant to sign quickly and maybe leave money on the table. They want to see what guys picked around them get. Without the deadline or opening of camp forcing compromise from team or players nothing gets done. The only way around that IMO is for teams to drastically overpay and that isn't in a team's best interests whether it be baseball or football.

[Flosman]

Just curious... why would they wait so long to start contract talks with Wieters? Wouldn't they already have done some of the legwork before drafting him, especially with Boras as his agent?

I would think that they would put Wieters at the top of their priority list, seeing as how he is their number 1 pick. Is that just an unrealistic thing to expect?

I think the leg work as been done. However both sides are going to what for the market to set itself to a certain degree. Boras wants a bunch of guys that fell in the draft to sign for above slot. Negotiating now would IMO be a waste of time for the O's. The O's would have to blow Boras away now to get a deal done. If the O's thought he was better than Bako now maybe you could get him signed by putting him on the 25 man roster now and having him fill in for Ramon until he gets back, but that IMO is the only way the O's could maybe get Boras to engage in fair meaningful negotiations at this time.

I will respond to the starting his arb clock and using a option argument now. He is going to sign a ML deal, count on it the option is getting used this year anyway. The arb issue is not that big a deal in that it is likely only a 2 or three week situation. Now the risk is if the limited time puts him in FA a year earlier but that is a problem six years from now that may not even happen.

[sector7g]

I heard on the conference call broadcast between some journalists and Boras (that was posted on here last week) that all the negotiations for Wieters will be handled by his family.

[geschinger]

I heard on the conference call broadcast between some journalists and Boras (that was posted on here last week) that all the negotiations for Wieters will be handled by his family.

Boras has to act as an "advisor" as Wieters would lose the ability (and inherent leverage) to go back to GT if he "signed" with an agent.

[ChrisP]

I'm sure they are getting the "easy" signs out of the way.

[Skywalker76]

Asking agin if there are any news on Arietta. I sure hope they can sign him. Any info?