Aug
18
2009 Draft: Strasburg signs record deal
ByScott Boras asked the moon and the stars, and all he ended up getting Stephen Strasburg was a four year Major League deal worth $15.67M, according to Baseball America’s Aaron Fitt. It’s the largest deal in draft history, eclipsing the $10.5M guarantee the Cubs gave Mark Prior back in 2001. The Nats got a fantastic deal because they get a someone to stimulate their franchise at a “reasonable” price, but it’s also a great deal for Strasburg because he’s set for life based on how he pitched in college. There was no way this one wasn’t going to get done.
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This is good for baseball as now guys like Harper in the future wont ask for like 50 mil (or wont get it at least)
Who is that “good news” for? The billionaire owners crying poverty?
It would have been a travesty had strasberg not signed. Good move on his part, and better move for the Natinals who could plug Strasberg in the rotation at midseason 2010.
I guess he could pitch in double-A for the remainder of ’09.
Didn’t his family want to be shut down for ’09?
that seems strange. he only had a 10 inning increase from last year, and he’s had basically a 2 month ‘break’ from pitching
Didn’t here that DreDog. Like Zack pointed out, Strasberg has had a vacation this summer. I’m not saying that Strasberg should be rushed out to a AA mound to throw CG, 15K starts (which i think he’s capable of … give him a week). Give him a 4 inning cap on starts and let him build his arm strength back up against AA hitters.
I am pretty sure I heard more about “his camp” or “his family” wanting him to shut it down for ’09, but this is what I dug up real quick.
Tony Gwynn
http://blogs.usatoday.com/game.....sburg.html
Somebody quoting Olney
http://elismlbrumors.blogspot......pdate.html
Jeff Passan talking to Rizzo
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
Crap, I just cut and pasted three articles that said Rizzo, Gwynn, and Olney (citing baseball executives) that Strasburg will not see the MLB, should be shut down, and will be shut down, respectively.
For what it’s worth, I highly doubt he will sniff the big club. I think he might train, and throw some garbage innings, but I doubt he will throw any serious work.
What does the 4 year deal really mean? Does he hit arb regardless of how much service time he gets?
I believe so. Axisa would definitely know, though.
He can only hit arb after his 4 year contract. Great deal for the Nats considering they probably bought out a year of arb maybe 2 (if he qualified as a super 2). That’s of course assuming he starts 2010 with the big club.
Definitely. Thanks!
He’s like everyone else, He’ll be arb eligible when he has between 3-6 yrs of service time, unless he’s still bound by the terms of this deal.
So say he starts next year in their rotation, this deal covers the first four years of his career, then he has two arb years.
gotcha, thanks.
In fact, I’m sure Boras planned it so he gets at least two arbitration years. Those could be major paydays.
Does this contract cover 2009-2012 or 2010-2013 ?
2009-2013. The contract says he gets the pro-rated minimum for this year, then the four year portion kicks in in 2010.
At least that’s what BA says.
I haven’t found the article. Only mention I saw said 4 years, $7.5 million bonus, $7.6 million in salaries (including pro-rated $400,000 salary for remainder of 2009), which leads me to believe it’s 2009-2012.
Normal service time rules apply. It just means that his salary is set for the next 4 years. When the 5th year comes, this contract sets a baseline for his salary.
If he’s not arbitration eligible when this contract ends, the lowest the team can give him is 80% of the value of the 4th year. If he is arbitration eligible, he’s almost guaranteed a raise over the value of the 4th year.
Good for both Strasburg and for the Natinals. When do you guys think he’ll be up in the big leagues? Opening Day?
He only had 109 IP this year (97 last year) so they probably need to get him innings this year or atleast in the AFL. See how he does there and in ST, no reason to hand him an opening day roster spot. But Rick Porcello earned his spot through ST at 20, Zimmermann impressed Nationals in ST to earn his spot.
Seems like the biggest needs on the Nats are pitching (Swisher would be a #3 starter on that team) and attendance. I’m just worried they’ll preemptively toss him in there and have him pitch 150 innings.
But yeah, I agree with what you’re saying (as usual).
Well they’re obviously not going to be good next year either so they wont feel the pressure of not limiting his innings, they just saw Zimmermann go down with TJ so you hope their fans (whoever they are) dont go nuts if he gets shut down.
Anyone who knows anything about Boras (and to a lesser extent his puppet Heyman) knew this deal would go down.
does this mean he’s a FA in 4 years? And ML deal just means he’s on the 40 man right away, right?
No, he still needs to have six years of service time to be eligible for free agency. And yes, he goes right on the 40-man.
Brackman has a similar deal, right? Not money but a 4 year ML deal?
Right. Brackman also has two clubs options for years five and six.
No, no deal can go against the CBA agreement that all players (Non IFA) have to have 6 years of service time before becoming a FA. Even Boras couldn’t circumvent that!
IFA players, once they sign their first contract, are bound to the usual rules. They can’t become free agents again until they have 6 years of service time.
Bigger name ones like Matsui have negotiated a clause that says the team is not allowed to offer them arbitration, but that’s the only way around it. I suppose Boras could try for a clause like that, but that could backfire. Think about a guy like Wang – he may or may not get offered arbitration this year. If he doesn’t, he’ll certainly get a pay cut.
I know, I just meant that IFA guys had a loophole (sort of) that other players don’t really have.
Ah ok. Wasn’t sure if that was what you meant or if you had the rule wrong, so I figured I’d clarify to be sure.
What a lucky and gifted young man.
Matt Purke didnt sign and is now going to attend TCU. Wish him the best. He’s probably wishing he had fallen to the Yankees as earlier imagined by many scouts. Purke might have gotten a $4MM deal.
guess it still worked out okay for Yankee org today. None of the draftees unsigned were of a can’t-miss. Sure Aplin and Thompson might turn out to be dominant college players … and i hope they do, but I expect our haul to produce a couple ML starting caliber players for our NYY.
Who do you like most after Heathcott and Murphy?
I like Brett Gerritse who signed over a month ago if memory serves me right. He’s pitching in the GCL now and given up only 5 hits in 7 innings with a 8-2/K-BB ratio. I like his measurables and I think he’ll add velocity to a FB that’s low 90s as he gets stronger.
Sounds promising. Warren and some of the other pitchers sound like they could be solid picks, too. I’m also partial to Mariel Checo–just love the name.
Adam Warren has been a surprise. His FB has been mid-90s ever since he signed and he’s got a breaking pitch that’s been ACC tested. I dont know if this jump in velocity is going to carry over into next season though … that’s why i’m tempering expectations. Warren is impressing though and he’s got a slot in the Tampa rotation with his name attached to it for 2010. Fantastic sleeper if the velocity jump is sustained.
His parents probably looked at Nolan Ryan, looked at their son’s arm, and said “we should go to college, son.”
haha. we are going to find out in about 2 years if nolan’s approach with their young pitchers works. if they stay healthy other teams might push their pitchers more than they do now.
I know, but I couldn’t resist the joke.
well if all those kids arms need operations in a year or two it wont be a joke.
I am sure people would make jokes. I am not saying they would be tasteful, but they would still make jokes. I could think of some they would throw out there right now.
agreed.
over on nomaas there is a poster saying we got Deluca last minute that would be a very nice get.
Yeah but no source. I could post on there and say we got Bryce Harper. Doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true (though that would be really cool).
did i say it was true? would be not is and i am the one who asked for his source on that and stoneburner cause i still havent seen an offical confirmation it was done.
No, not at all. Just saying, that’s all. Not trying to rile you up.
On Baseball America his name is bolded which means he signed (Stoneburner).
for what it is worth he says he spoke with deluca himself.
It would be a nice last-minute signing. I hope that guy is truthful. Know what his projection is? Heard he touches 95 mph as a high schooler. I think I read that in one of the draft threads from earlier today.
i read that on here earlier today but havent seen any reports that said that.
perfect game scouting report:
http://tinyurl.com/ogvwvt
nomaas scouting report:
http://www.nomaas.org/draft/?p=211
both seem to suggest low 90′s
Good info. Thanks.
found this blurb in another post.
“Evan DeLuca (who was sitting in the low 90s and touching 95 MPH in his start that the Yankees attended, by the way)”
dont know if touching means 1 pitch or how good the gun was that day. hopefully not like the yes gun.
Wait, we got Bryce Harper?
So much hype. You never really know with pitchers. 15 million is nuts. Most baseball salaries are nuts, that’s why parking is $10 and hot dogs are $10 and beer is $10 and soon taking a whiz at the park will probably be $10.
that might be but not nearly as nuts as 6 years 72 million for a qb that hasnt thrown an nfl pass now is it?
not only that, but automatically becoming the highest paid player in the locker room; and unlike baseball they dont have 2-3 years to ‘develop’ in 2-3 years they get a new contract or they’re a bust
i think the nba has the best rookie salary system. hockey has a pretty good one as well where they get a certain salary and bonuses if they are in the nhl vs the minors.
Yeah, but the NHL is weird. The team retains the player’s rights for up to three years. So it’d be like the Yanks drafting Heathcott, letting him go play in college for three years, then signing him.
or choosing not to, yes.
People still watch the NHL? I must say, I saw a Rangers game once and it was fantastic. But watching it on tv is so mind-numbing. I get dizzy trying to find the puck. If I wanted to develop seizures, I’d watch Japanese cartoons.
it helps to know what their intentions are, namely moving the puck forward… much like knowing what a pitcher is trying to do, besides get they batter out
I actually kind of like it since most draftees aren’t Crosby, Kane, etc… and go straight to the show. Instead of playing in the NHL’s “minor leagues” they get to go play for the school they want to, develop there for a few years, and then either play with the NHL team or go play for their affiliate and develop more. Thing is, most upper level college coaches in hockey are well qualified and aren’t going to ruin prospects like a lot of college baseball coaches will (coughRicecough) Different sports I guess
plus, drafting kids at 18 from overseas they leave them over to mature for 3 years. so basically they’re developing, but they dont have to pay the kid until its time, or if he hasnt developed they can drop him.
how can a college hockey coach ruin a prospect? i mean they could teach them bad habits/techniques, but doesnt usually lead to the kid having major surgery that could kill his stuff
the only way it could ruin a prospect is take an offensive player and put him in a defense first system and stifle his offensive growth i guess. other ways would be lack of playing time.
oh alright. but i think scots usually know if a guy is out of position or in the wrong system and ‘project’ him to be better. but i see what you’re saying
u dont scout college hockey for draft picks. if they are in college they have either already been drafted or are undrafted free agents.
Yes, but you can scout for guys who you and everyone else missed and sign them as free agents (see the Rangers signing Pock in ’04 and Gilroy this year).
actually, the prices are high because they have a monopoly inside the stadium. its economics, whether the hot dog is $6 or $10, you’re going to buy a hot dog during a 3-5 hour game
Eh, there’s a lot more to it than just salaries for the team. There are also employees, stadium leases (or purchases), farm systems, equipment, owners pocketing, vendor prices, etc,. Yes, salaries are a huge part of the equation, but it isn’t the only reason our prices are high. Most of the concession prices are due to simple economics: huge demand, scarcity of supply, high, fixed prices.
Why is it nuts? Its market value. You really think these business owners would lose money?
“soon taking a whiz at the park will probably be $10″
That will cut down on beer and soda sales.
FWIW, KLaw confirmed Ackley signed for $7.5M not $9.5M. His poor family is gonna starve now
IETC
could be 7.5 guaranteed and up to 9.5 depending on how quickly he makes the bigs.
with the Mariners that could be immediately lol
I was just looking in on NOMAAS, and it looks like they got DeLuca done at the last minute (I am glad they finally added a left handed pitcher) A very good draft for the Yankees overall and they deserve a grade of “B” for it. One thing I don’t do, is look at the draft in a vacuum, as a stand alone process. Thus when you throw in free agency, and International signings, the Yankees are the biggest winner of all. Other winners: Colorado with an A+ draft, Washington (Strasberg nuff said), Baltimore (Almost as good as Colorado), and Seattle. Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Boston all had very good drafts (But when you look at the total picture, they are behind the Yankees, Rockies, and Orioles (Signing guys like Smoltz and Farnsworth come to mind). Biggest losers: Without question: New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays.
Yeah Rockies definately did good, and they didnt even have to give Matzek a ML contract
i thought matzek had much higher demands than that like closer to turner’s level and no ml deal is a big bonus for the rockies who i think signed 40 picks.
I do love giving grades to HS kids that you have never actually seen before.
Matzek had huge demands, and he seemed a lock to go to the University Of Oregon (He was even taking summer classes there). But he eventually caved in. A great job by the Rockies. Another good job belongs to Oppenheimer: If it is true that they signed DeLuca, it will mean they signed SIX guys on the final day (Plus Stoneburner (I believe it was completed because it is in the BA Database)). The logistics alone was not easy (Throw in a budget (Unlike before)), and the really bent over backwards to get stuff done. If DeLuca was signed, it will show they worked and hustled until late in the evening, and did not rest on their laurels.
BA is confirming DeLuca
The Yankees signed 44th-rounder Evan DeLuca, a Immaculata High (Somerville, N.J.) lefthander for $500,000.
SWEET!!!!!
also for those of you who were concerned by not seeing a confirmation on stoneburner i asked in the BA draft blog and John Manuel confirmed he did sign.
DeLuca is OFFICIAL he signed for $500,000. http://www.baseballamerica.com. I guess it is fair to say, they thought higher of him than they did EITHER Lyons or Meade.
seriously you couldnt see the same confirmation two posts up.
News so nice you have to post it twice!
I did not see it, I was writting as it came in. But no big deal.
If you see pictures of the kid from perfect game, it looks like he has room for his body to mature. He can probably get a couple MPH more out of that arm.
I know it is a long-shot hope , but The Arizona Republic reported Thompson signed with the Yankees. ASU signees who opted to go pro are third baseman/catcher Nolan Arenado (second round/Cleveland) and pitcher Chad Thompson (17th/New York Yankees”……… http://www.ArizonaRepublic.com
If we got Thompson too that would be awesome. I did find that article too.
Nomaas just reported that that article was incorrect. We did not sign Thompson.
Why should American kids be subject to the arcane drfat rules but Cubans like Chapman can go make 5x as much? Its an unfair system. Strasburg on an open market would make 100 mill.