Nope. I don't think they even made him a legitimate offer. They're already over the bonus pool signing the top 11 and they still have one left to sign (Tucker, 8th round). The odds of Virant signing is 0%. Can't complain though; Luhnow had his priorities, executed, and came through with an amazing draft. Any overslot signee past round 10 woulda been pure gravy.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Marlins get a new stadium, pay $27 million for a reliever, but they won't pay their 1st-round pick or spend much internationally? Brutal.</p>— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenBadler/status/223613020390170624" data-datetime="2012-07-13T03:01:13+00:00">July 13, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Week before next <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523mlbdraft">#mlbdraft</a>. @<a href="https://twitter.com/yirmiyahustats">yirmiyahustats</a>: How long are negotiation rights for seniors retained? Up till next year's draft?</p>— Jim Callis (@jimcallisBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcallisBA/status/223637369713205249" data-datetime="2012-07-13T04:37:58+00:00">July 13, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
According to BA we have 11 unsigned picks, that can't be right. Can it? http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/2012unsigned.php
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Astros">#Astros</a> don't expect to sign 7th-rder Preston Tucker today b/c deadline doesn't apply to college seniors w/no eligibility left. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523mlbdraft">#mlbdraft</a></p>— Jim Callis (@jimcallisBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcallisBA/status/223819957354496000" data-datetime="2012-07-13T16:43:30+00:00">July 13, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>But <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Astros">#Astros</a> do figure to sign 7th-rder Preston Tucker sometime after the deadline. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523mlbdraft">#mlbdraft</a></p>— Jim Callis (@jimcallisBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcallisBA/status/223820075159924739" data-datetime="2012-07-13T16:43:58+00:00">July 13, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Hey now, Appel could make a jump in 2013. There's no telling. I have to think he's at the top of the 2013 draft class right now.
Both callis and law have said he'd be the top talent right now in the 2013 draft. And he'll have no leverage next year so it might be possible to get the best talent in the draft and get him at a substantial discount from slot, just like this year.
First rule of baseball negotiations: Boras always has leverage. He'll send Appel to the independent leagues if he doesn't get a good deal next year. I think people are confused about the whole leverage/under-slot discount thing that went on this year. We chose Correa first because he took the cheapest deal. That's not to say he wasn't #1 material but it was a down year and there was no consensus on a top pick. So why not going with the cheapest. Next year if Appel is head and shoulders above the pack, just pay the man. I don't think Luhnow is opposed to paying slot; this year's circumstances were extremely unique.
Should be interesting. If he dominates, I take him with the #1 pick, offer him $5m and tell him to take it or leave it. We'd still have $7m to spend the rest of the draft which is plenty, and we'd also get the #2 overall pick the next year which will probably be even better than 2013.
That.... is a terrible plan. First off that's a totally dick move offering him $2.2m under slot if he's the concensus #1 overall pick. Second, making the first pick a take-it-or-leave choice when the price is that far under slot is a giant/stupid/unnecessary gamble. Losing that pick and slot value should be avoided at all costs. Finally, if you draft and negotiate in bad faith like that no agent or draftee will want to deal with you later on.
