Comments on: 2009 Draft: NoMaas’ signing deadline interview with Damon Oppenheimer

By: Andy in Sunny Daytona

Andy in Sunny Daytona — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:15:04 +0000

Didn’t he retire? I thought he announced shortly after being drafted that he was finished with his baseball career.

By: King of Fruitless Hypotheticals

King of Fruitless Hypotheticals — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:43:10 +0000

1.9 mil. Book it.

By: Januz

Januz — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:33:46 +0000

There is a lot of discussion about how certain teams have gotten their players signed (Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Boston in particular), while the Yankees have not. Keep in mind, BOTH Pittsburgh and Boston took an easy sign number one, before going after the “Signability Cases” (The Royals if they get Aaron Crow signed will be the clear draft winners, because they will have signed the high risk types (Like Myers and Dwyer) along with Crow. The Yankees took a high risk case in Heathcott, and it was sign him or lose the pick, which put them in a much more difficult position than Boston or Pittsburgh. This quote by Oppenheimer says it all: “We’ve had to allocate certain money for some of the guys up top, and that’s our plan – to get those guys taken care of first and then to move forward and apply the remaining budget as best as possible with the rest of the guys”. Do I know who the “Guys On Top” are? No, but you can infer it means Heathcott, Murphy, Cotham, and likely Stoneburner and Thompson. Meaning they needed to get these guys done before anyone else, which is why everything will come down to the waning moments of August 17th.

By: Johan Iz My Brohan

Johan Iz My Brohan — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:50:34 +0000

MLBTR: Ken Davidoff at Newsday reports that the Yankees are confident first-round pick/secret agent from the future Slade Heathcott will sign, likely for a bonus around $2MM.

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Secret Agent eh?

By: Stryker

Stryker — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:42:54 +0000

also, while there still may have been quality talent available it’s also possible that the oppenheimer/yankees just didn’t value those guys the same as other organizations. it’s all perspective i guess.

By: Johan Iz My Brohan

Johan Iz My Brohan — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:36:57 +0000

Ok, that makes sense, I didn’t know how good of a SS he was.

By: Stryker

Stryker — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:33:28 +0000

soignier was a senior in college at the time. he also plays a very good short stop. as a senior he doesn’t have much leverage unlike draft-elligible sophomores or guys coming out of high school. it was a good pick considering it was in the 22nd round when all of the guys that might have been on the radar were taken already.

By: Johan Iz My Brohan

Johan Iz My Brohan — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:19:42 +0000

Why did the Yankees draft Richard Soignier (who turns 24 tomorrow…)? Seems like such a waste of a draft pick.

Anyways, I can’t wait to hear the signings be announced.

By: SamVa

SamVa — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:52:01 +0000

I think it will be around 1.7 as well..
I don’t think the bonus is going to be much of an issue, I just watched his interview when he went to the stadium and he seemed extremely set on being a Yankee.
I can’t wait!