Jon Singleton up! Agrees to 8-year, $35 million deal.

They haven't, really. They've said they were leaving players down to work on things - and those were true. They had no interest in paying extra money while having the players work on things they needed work on if it could be done cheaper at the MiLB level. With Springer, when he came up, he demonstrated problems in exactly the areas they said they were leaving him down to work on. With Singleton, they've created a financial arrangement where he can work on those things at the MLB level with no financial penalty.

As far as directly saying they are leaving players down for financial reasons - it's like the pine tar situation. Everyone knows its happening and how the system is designed, but you have to do it quietly. If teams admit it, the MLBPA has to act. No team ever outright says its for financial reasons.

 

yea it is. Hopefully they'll assign a team-member or staff personnel to be his sponsor like The Rangers did with Josh Hamilton. The two times Hamilton fell off the wagon, he had immediate help and support within a day.

 

Im a sports aesthetic fan, anyone know what number he's wearing? Hoping he sticks with 13..

 

This guy has "bust" written all over him. Smart move on his part!

 

At first I didn't know why he'd sign a deal like this but after that article I know now. This could be his only shot at getting that kind of money and with his problems he probably isn't very high on himself right now.

 

With his mental makeup, I don't know if the guaranteed money is a "good" thing.

Glad to see him up, and the contract was the only way that was likely happening till later this year (if at all).

I know a lot of people have been defending the Astros stashing because "everybody else" is doing it, but the difference is that when the Astros were doing it, it was with very little actual MLB talent blocking those players. The goal should always be to put the best possible team on the field, as well as build for the future (not either/or). As was the case with Springer, these guys all need a decent adjustment period after being called up (whether it is to start a season, super 2 callup, or September callup).

 

How is that different from TB with Myers or Pitt with Polanco?

 

Seeing as how I recognized this name and actually knew who he is, the Astros have to be on the brink of turning things around. Because I've always been a bandwagon Astros or baseball fan at best.

 

It will be criticized by agents.... however, think about how many top 25 prospects in baseball flameout and now make $35,000 a year. Singleton received $10,000,000 GUARANTEED. He will be financially solid for the rest of his life if the money is properly managed.

There is a HUGE difference between $35,000 a year and having $10,000,000 in the bank.... there is not as big a lifestyle difference between having $10,000,000 in the bank and $45,000,000 in the bank.

It is easy for the agents to cry about it, but they are not supporting the guys that do not live up to expectations. I can certainly see why someone with NO major league experience takes the $10,000,000 guaranteed and if he were my son, I would probably advise him to take the money too.

 

Aside from Springer, who are the Astros stashing? Which player has consistently proven themselves in the minor leagues only to be held down? I guess, arguably Foltynewicz, but who else?

Singleton shot himself in the foot with the 2013 suspension and even with that, he is up at 22 years of age,

 

Just glad to see him at 1B as opposed to what has been trotted out there.

 

Just made my June 5th game more exciting.

 

Not necessarily, Luhnow has recently said Springer could be called up at any time.

 

I'll be at the Twins games Friday and Saturday.

 

It looks like I got those free duckets for a special night now.

 

He has "bust" written all over him if you consider his struggles with mar1juana and alcohol. His game does NOT have "bust" written all over it... he is a very selective hitter, he generates excellent power, he can go opposite field, has very good bat speed and is considered to have excellent baseball instincts... those all add up to a guy with a high floor and high ceiling as a big leaguer... the question is how much do you weigh the two sides of his total package.

 

Singleton was an 8th Rd pick, so he only received a 200 K signing bonus, so before this contract he was hardly in a great financial position. Even if he turned out to be a great player, he would have to play excellent baseball for 6 seasons before he made 10 million dollars, so many things could happen. I would certainly risk a few million long term for that kind of financial security

George Springer was a 1st Rd pick, and received a 2.5 Mil signing bonus. That plus his 500K salary, Springer was hardly destitute, not to mention his advanced age and an already late free agency. Negotiating with him was much harder I would imagine.


Given these goliath contracts that are given out these days, these seem like very small risks that work out well for both parties. Really excited right now.

 

Will he be set for tomorrow's game? CSN gave me free tickets and I would like to see Singleton in action.