Jim Callis of BA's 5/18 mock draft

[Greg Pappas]

Well...this ain't happening. He signed with the D'Backs as a draft and follow:

http://bdd.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2007/5/31/2986859.html

Yeah, he received a guaranteed ML contract worth 4.5 million. The DBacks hava a wealth of talent in their system and a tremendous nucleus of young talent at the ML level as well. This signing goes to show you that they value these young players quite highly.

Personally I would not have taken him, but I am not making the pick am I?

[clapdiddy]

Personally I would not have taken him, but I am not making the pick am I?

Agreed. I really would hope that Wieters falls to us and we take him. I am so sick of hearing about how we can't deal with Boras.

[markpolis]

Yeah, he received a guaranteed ML contract worth 4.5 million. The DBacks hava a wealth of talent in their system and a tremendous nucleus of young talent at the ML level as well. This signing goes to show you that they value these young players quite highly.

Personally I would not have taken him, but I am not making the pick am I?

I believe it was a 4 year deal worth $4.3. This from BA:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/news/264039.html

The more important aspect of this deal is that many teams are willing to go over slot and pay for the player they want. I really don't feel the new system regarding draft pick compensation will really effect Boras from extorting top dollar from teams.

Given the opportunity, I hope the Orioles take the best player available (hopefully Wieters) and not worry about Boras.

[olehippi]

Agreed. I really would hope that Wieters falls to us and we take him. I am so sick of hearing about how we can't deal with Boras.

I agree....Wieters would be a great catch if he slips a notch or two. As for dealing with Scott Boras, all you need is a little more money than normal....and apparently the O's now have the extra cash. Hopefully they will spend it wisely.

[Greg Pappas]

I believe it was a 4 year deal worth $4.3. This from BA:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/news/264039.html

The more important aspect of this deal is that many teams are willing to go over slot and pay for the player they want. I really don't feel the new system regarding draft pick compensation will really effect Boras from extorting top dollar from teams.

Given the opportunity, I hope the Orioles take the best player available (hopefully Wieters) and not worry about Boras.

Thanks for the update. Good points as usual Mark. I imagine BA will have a Mock 2.0 out soon and I can't wait. Btw, the latest BA prospect tracker is out and Brackman has fallen on hard times. I never liked him at #5, and now it seems he will not be considered that early anyway.

[geschinger]

I believe it was a 4 year deal worth $4.3. This from BA:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/news/264039.html

The more important aspect of this deal is that many teams are willing to go over slot and pay for the player they want. I really don't feel the new system regarding draft pick compensation will really effect Boras from extorting top dollar from teams.

Given the opportunity, I hope the Orioles take the best player available (hopefully Wieters) and not worry about Boras.

The new system gives teams a bit more leverage. If this was next year the DBacks might have decided getting as good a pick the following year is better than only getting a supp.

I don't know what Max's original demands were but I've been impressed with how teams have held firm w/Boras in recent years. The problem is you never really know for sure if you have a player willing to compromise to start his career (Jared Weaver / Stephen Drew) or one who is not (JD Drew / Jason Varitek). It's a huge gamble. The decision that the draftor has to make is that when its all said and done, will Weiters eventually sign for ~4m or will he refuse to sign and go back into the draft if he doesn't get the $5-$10m he is demanding. It's easier to take that risk if you get a top 5 pick next year for failing to sign him.

*Note: I am just guesstimating Weiters demands. I have no idea what Boras might be demanding.

[markpolis]

Thanks for the update. Good points as usual Mark. I imagine BA will have a Mock 2.0 out soon and I can't wait. Btw, the latest BA prospect tracker is out and Brackman has fallen on hard times. I never liked him at #5, and now it seems he will not be considered that early anyway.

Greg,

They haven't done a new mock draft, but their latest draft tracker has some other newsworthy moves. (other than Brackman)

Their top 5 prospects are:

1 - Price,

2 - Porcello (previously 3),

3 - Wieters (4),

4 - Moustakas (6),

5 - Vitters (2),

6 - Heyward (6)

I know this doesn't correspond to the teams picking 1-5, but if the Pirates do select Moustakas at #4, then perhaps Vitters would fall to us at #5.

It's also interesting to see Heyward make such a big jump so late in the process. I'd love to see the Orioles select Vitters or Heyward with their pick.

[bigbird]

A thing to remember with the new CBA is if you don;t sign your first round pick you get a comp pick in next years draft at the same slot.

[odogs101]

A thing to remember with the new CBA is if you don;t sign your first round pick you get a comp pick in next years draft at the same slot.

Also the deadline to sign is now in August, so no more waiting all year to see if a player can milk more money out of a team.

[Greg Pappas]

Greg,

They haven't done a new mock draft, but their latest draft tracker has some other newsworthy moves. (other than Brackman)

Their top 5 prospects are:

1 - Price,

2 - Porcello (previously 3),

3 - Wieters (4),

4 - Moustakas (6),

5 - Vitters (2),

6 - Heyward (6)

I know this doesn't correspond to the teams picking 1-5, but if the Pirates do select Moustakas at #4, then perhaps Vitters would fall to us at #5.

It's also interesting to see Heyward make such a big jump so late in the process. I'd love to see the Orioles select Vitters or Heyward with their pick.

Yeah, I saw that info, and seeing Heyward rise is /was expected. We really are in a great position to get one of Vitters/Moustakas/Heyward and I hope Jordan picks one over Detwiler. I still expect Vitters to be gone by #5.

[bigbird]

Also the deadline to sign is now in August, so no more waiting all year to see if a player can milk more money out of a team.

Also no more draft and follows...