B.A. reports Nats considering taking Taillon

[DocJJ]

That would mean Bryce Harper might be in play. The Pirates might take him, but I suspect Boras and the high price tag might scare them off. We might pass too, since I can't imagine Angelos being too excited by having to deal with Boras and said price tag.

I think if he slips past the Nats and Pirates, we should take him...

[Greg Pappas]

That would mean Bryce Harper might be in play. The Pirates might take him, but I suspect Boras and the high price tag might scare them off. We might pass too, since I can't imagine Angelos being too excited by having to deal with Boras and said price tag.

I think if he slips past the Nats and Pirates, we should take him...

Link?

If Harper does slip past the Pirates at #2, then we should take Harper, no doubt about it. If that situation arises, and we do not take Harper at pick three... well, I'll hold my tongue for now, and pray that doesn't happen.

[Arthur_Bryant]

I am rooting for the Nats to take Harper. I think there may be a better chance of Taillon slipping past the Pirates, just because he's a pitcher.

[Stotle]

I would imagine the lowest Harper slips is Kansas City. Getting a Top 10 2011 pick is plenty of insurance for not being able to sign Bryce.

[lint06]

I am rooting for the Nats to take Harper. I think there may be a better chance of Taillon slipping past the Pirates, just because he's a pitcher.

I think I'd prefer Taillon as well. Gimme all the best pitching and then maybe trade said excess pitching for an impact position player.

[hoosiers]

I am rooting for the Nats to take Harper. I think there may be a better chance of Taillon slipping past the Pirates, just because he's a pitcher.

I agree. I'd prefer for the Nats to take Harper. Harper is a strong talent, but I'd prefer to avoid the entire flap that would ensue regarding his bonus - something that seems destined to be in the $8M-$14M range.

The Pirates are a real wild card here as I do not expect them to pay top $. I see the Pirates taking one of the top college pitchers - Ranaudo, McGuire or Pomerantz.

We did not spend top $ last year on our first pick either though Jordan has insisted he liked Hobgood better.

[JTrea81]

I'm sorry but anybody who doesn't want to draft and pay Bryce Harper what he is worth is being foolish IMO. Harper is a once in a generation type talent even if he can't stick at C.

Harper over Taillon is a major no-brainer. And the only team that you should be rooting for to take Bryce Harper is the Orioles.

He's hitting .431 with a .899 SLG and a .530 OBP.

To pass on that type of talent even for an arm like Tallion is doing a major harm to your franchise IMO. The Nats won't be that stupid.

[DocJJ]

What's amazing is his numbers when you consider he's a 17 yr old playing against guys 3 yrs older.

If you believe he's a once in a generation talent, you have to take him and fork out the dough. Let's all quietly pray the Nats and Bucs pass.... because I believe all the hype.

[RandyM]

I am rooting for the Nats to take Harper. I think there may be a better chance of Taillon slipping past the Pirates, just because he's a pitcher.

Yup. I would love to have Harper, but I see zero chance that PIT passes on him if available. The only way I see PIT passing would probably mean that he is asking/wanting the world, which would make the O's pass and most everyone else (25 mill). Think of the flack if PIT passed on another "generational" prospect like Harper for the O's to pick him right afterwards.

I would rather have Harper, but that dream was over when the O's finished 3rd and Harper started destroying the ball. The only hope is for Taillon to drop, but as I have said before, I have the O's passing on Taillon if PIT passes, but there is hope.

[lint06]

Here's some sour grapes that probably needs to be in the rant section, but this is a 17 year old kid that has done nothing of consequence at any level close to a major league level and he's going to command some astronomical sum because he MIGHT be good.

I absolutely believe there needs to be a hard and fast slotting system.

[Stotle]

Here's some sour grapes that probably needs to be in the rant section, but this is a 17 year old kid that has done nothing of consequence at any level close to a major league level and he's going to command some astronomical sum because he MIGHT be good.

I absolutely believe there needs to be a hard and fast slotting system.

I have zero issue with a player trying to get as much as he can up front, considering he's a good six years away (minimum) from his first FA contract opportunity, the attrition rate associated with prospects (in general) and the fact that only a very small portion of the players even get a bonus that would be considered "large".

Consider, Strasburg will in all likelihood still be a solid bargain for the Nationals, even after receiving the largest bonus/contract in ML draft history.

[stuckin82]

maybe I am doing something wrong, but can't find any mention of this. could you provide the link? many thanks

[mark_beckens]

I have zero issue with a player trying to get as much as he can up front, considering he's a good six years away (minimum) from his first FA contract opportunity, the attrition rate associated with prospects (in general) and the fact that only a very small portion of the players even get a bonus that would be considered "large".

Consider, Strasburg will in all likelihood still be a solid bargain for the Nationals, even after receiving the largest bonus/contract in ML draft history.

But he is making more, then guys who have actually done something in the ML, which is no given for Strasburg. He could blow out his arm, get in a bar fight and hurt his shoulder, or lose control of the strike zone all together. As a former player, I understand both sides of the arguement, but I personally think you should get paid for what you do, in the ML's, not what you might be able to do.

[alexei606]

But he is making more, then guys who have actually done something in the ML, which is no given for Strasburg. He could blow out his arm, get in a bar fight and hurt his shoulder, or lose control of the strike zone all together. As a former player, I understand both sides of the arguement, but I personally think you should get paid for what you do, in the ML's, not what you might be able to do.

Then you should really hate Chapman's contract. BTW, I agree with Stotle. The players make nothing near what they can because of how the MLB contracts are stacked for the owners. Strasburg at $15 million is a much better deal than any FA signing particularly for pitchers. And the injury issue is just as much a deal for any FAs particularly pitchers as for Strasburg who most felt could have started this year and would have been the Nationals best pitcher.

[Arthur_Bryant]

But he is making more, then guys who have actually done something in the ML, which is no given for Strasburg. He could blow out his arm, get in a bar fight and hurt his shoulder, or lose control of the strike zone all together. As a former player, I understand both sides of the arguement, but I personally think you should get paid for what you do, in the ML's, not what you might be able to do.

I don't think you appreciate what potential value a good prospect has for a club. It represents a chance for the team to reap at least four years of MLB performance at the ML minimum. If Strasburg is just a reasonable success, the Nationals will have an incredible deal in their favor.

Players have two chances to make big money: In the draft, and in FA or at least the last two or three years or arbitration. But the years in between represent a big time bargain for the clubs when the player starts to produce in MLB.

Furthermore, virtually every big extension or FA contract involves the concept of "being paid for what you might be able to do." All the bad things that could befall Strasburg could befall John Lackey or CC Sabathia. And although they have an MLB track record, they're not being paid as a reward for what they've done: they're being paid principally for what the Sox and NYY believe they will do.