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The Astros' Owner and G.M. Have Long-Term Plans


OFFNY

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That hurts but not anything close to the meltdown the Astros had. Their plan with the #1's has been to agree to an underslot deal then pick up more talent down the line. They forfeited the whole first slot when they didn't sign Aiken.

Throw in Appel's struggles...

Aiken now has a choice: he can attend UCLA, and not be eligible for the draft until 2017. Or, he can play at a junior college or in an independent league and be eligible for the 2015 draft. From the Astros side, since their offer to Aiken was at least 40% of the his slot value (it was exactly that, actually) they will be given the number two overall pick in next year’s draft as compensation in addition to whatever pick they have.

The practical fallout for Aiken: he has to wait a year or maybe three to cash in and when he does it’s unlikely that he’ll do as well as he was set to do this year.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/18/the-astros-did-not-sign-number-one-overall-pick-brady-aiken-this-is-a-big-deal/

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These last two drafts are going to set the Astros back badly. If they had just ponied up say 5M to Aiken, which he likely accepts, they still could have had one of Marshall or Nix. Instead they got greedy and now they lose 3 very good prospects and a years worth of prospect development.

Even worse possibility, Nix has evidently filed a grievance.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Scary Astros possibility: If Nix wins grievance to pay agreed-upon $1.5M, Houston 17% over bonus pool, would forfeit next two 1st-rd picks.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="

">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote>

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I would rather throw 5 million down a hole in the ground then give up 2 first round picks.

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That hurts but not anything close to the meltdown the Astros had. Their plan with the #1's has been to agree to an underslot deal then pick up more talent down the line. They forfeited the whole first slot when they didn't sign Aiken.

Throw in Appel's struggles...

I think we need to see how the comp pick shakes out next year, but without question the reputation and process of the Stros is hurt by this. Potentially very badly.

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MLBPA just released this through Tony Clark:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>MLBPA comment (1/2): "Today, two young men should be one step closer to realizing their dreams of becoming Major League ballplayers."</p>— Nick J. Faleris (@NickJFaleris) <a href="

">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>(2/2): "Because of the actions of the [Astros], they are not. The MLBPA, the players and their advisers are exploring all legal options."</p>— Nick J. Faleris (@NickJFaleris) <a href="

">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote>

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This story gets even worse. The Astros' owner was quoted as directly contacting Aiken's advisor Casey Close. This means the NCAA has grounds to strip Aiken of his amateur status and he wont be going to UCLA or a JUCO next year.

Very unlikely that the NCAA would do that. If it did Aiken would possibly be made a FA.

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Remember they suspended the two kids that Philly GM Amaro reported on last year. It's not at all out of the realm of possibility.

In that situation the organization contacted the NCAA and turned the kids in. NCAA would have to investigate and Astros would have opportunity to confirm they did not speak to Close. So Astros could do right by the kids and not cooperate.

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In that situation the organization contacted the NCAA and turned the kids in. NCAA would have to investigate and Astros would have opportunity to confirm they did not speak to Close. So Astros could do right by the kids and not cooperate.

Even if Astros do the right thing, is it fair to say they've done a ton of damage to their reputation among agents and therefore future draftees because of this whole ordeal starting with the dropping 6.5M agreement to 5M and on?

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Even if Astros do the right thing, is it fair to say they've done a ton of damage to their reputation among agents and therefore future draftees because of this whole ordeal starting with the dropping 6.5M agreement to 5M and on?

Not just draftees. Close and his agency reps some of the biggest names in the sport. Plus, the MLBPA (who was already somewhat pissed at the Astros) is now REALLY pissed at the Astros. Not a good situation for Luhnow.

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Not just draftees. Close and his agency reps some of the biggest names in the sport. Plus, the MLBPA (who was already somewhat pissed at the Astros) is now REALLY pissed at the Astros. Not a good situation for Luhnow.

Low payroll during rebuild, Springer service time and Singleton contract. Am I leaving anything off?

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Low payroll during rebuild, Springer service time and Singleton contract. Am I leaving anything off?

Some off the record in-house stuff that has leaked out. Let's say players not knocking each other over to try and convince others to come to Houston.

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Some off the record in-house stuff that has leaked out. Let's say players not knocking each other over to try and convince others to come to Houston.

Right the leak, I didn't think it through that it would bother the PA, I figured more other teams.

Bud bad mouthed them earlier.

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