You're Waiting For a Train...: Aug 16, 2010

Monday, August 16, 2010

Last Call for Tickets

Tribe signs first rounder Drew Pomeranz ($2.65mil), 2nd rounder LeVon Washington ($1.2mil) and 3rd rounded Tony Wolters ($1.35mil). Quite a coup. The Indians sign their top 14 picks, 20 of the top 23, and spend about $9mil on the draft.

Dodgers sign LSU QB recruit and #28 overall pick Zach Lee.

Bryce Harper does indeed sign with the Nats. The deal is worth about ~~$6.5mil~~ $9.9mil. That's a five year deal, including a $6.25mil bonus.

Orioles ink A-Rod clone and #3 pick Manny Machado. He gets $5.25mil.

The Mets sign #7 pick Matt Harvey w/ a $2.5mil bonus.

Blue Jays agree with #11 Deck McGuire for $2mil.

Rockies come to terms with Auburn QB recruit and #26 pick Kyle Parker for $1.4mil.

Marlins sign #23 Christian Yelich for $1.7mil.

Tigers sign #44 Nick Castellanos for a staggering $3.45mil.

#25 Zack Cox gets a major league deal from the Cards worth $3.2mil.

Just when I was wondering what was up in St. Pete, the Rays ink both #17 Josh Sale (1.62mil) and #42 Drew Vettleson ($845K).

20 till and no more ?s as #9 (Karsten Whitson, Padres), #6 (Barret Loux, D-Bags), #14 (Dylan Covey, Brewers) will not sign.

Whistle Stops

Very quiet on the MLB draft pick signings right now, so I've been watching the 2nd half of the Jets/Giants game. One doesn't expect much from the 2nd+ teams in a pre-season game, but it's been a lot of fun. Write down the name Victor Cruz. An undrafted free agent from UMass who grew up 11 miles from the new stadium, Cruz introduced himself to America making a spectacular one handed grab down the sideline for a 64 yard score. He continued to impress with a 2nd TD reception and several other catches that showcased his outstanding ball skills, great hands, and tremendous explosivity off the line. Cruz finishes with 6 catches for a buck 45 and 3 scores, the first NFL player with 3 TD receptions in a pre-season game since TO in '98. Even if he doesn't stick in the Big Apple, the kid will land somewhere and looks to have the chops to make waves. On top of that, I had the pleasure to hear an excellent interview with LaDanian Tomlinson. The man who stands 3rd all-time in NFL touchdowns has no need to be so humble, so articulate and so consummately professional, yet he is. I'll be rooting for LT to get that ring before he retires.

Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez will have season ending thumb surgery on a torn ligament. He sustained the injury punching his girlfriend's father outside of Citi Field. K-Rod, who just returned from suspension and lock-up, will likely have the remainder of this season's contract voided by the Mets.

49ers sign former Eagles dynamo Brian Westbrook. Glen Coffee's retirement opened the door for Westbrook's 2nd (& likely last) chance.

Tickets Punched

The Tribe has signed 8th round pick Alex Lavinsky, C from St Eds, to a deal with a $1mil bonus. That's the same bonus that Texas gave #22 overall selection, prep catcher, Kellin Deglan. Wowza.

The Pirates inked Lavinsky's high school battery mate, 100mph fireballer and 2nd round pick, Stetson Allie. Many had speculated that Allie would skip Pittsburghatory and honor his commitment to North Carolina. Guess not.

Update #1: Allie gets a $2.25mil bonus. Maybe that's why he signed. Also, the Bucs agree with #2 overall pick Jameson Taillon. Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Indians top 3 Pomeranz/Washington/Wolters all remain unsigned as of 10:10 est.

Update #2: Taillon's bonus worth about ~~$5mil~~ $6mil. Word on the street is that an Indians deal with 3rd round pick Tony Wolters is highly unlikely.

MLB Whistle Stops

The Tribe has signed 4th rounder Kyle Blair out of the University of San Diego. Ranked #84 pre-draft by Baseball America, Blair will receive a hefty $580K ($334K over slot) bonus.

Former Indian and #1 overall pick Bryan Bullington picked up his first major league win yesterday as he dazzled the Evil Empire with 8 2-hit, shutout innings. Congrats getting over than hump, Bryan.

On a point I'm sure to rant more on sometime, Kevin Slowey was pulled after 7 no-hit innings yesterday. Pulled. As in manager Ron Gardenhire decided not to give the kid a shot to finish it. Granted Slowey had thrown 106 pitches. Granted Slowey had missed his last start due to elbow tendinitis. Granted he would have still needed 6 more outs to complete the gem. But, c'mon man, is this what we've degraded into? Gardenhire has to feel the weight of the franchise on his back and not trust Slowey to tell him if there's pain? Pitch counts and caution have their place in extending a pitcher's career, but, a long time ago, a smart man taught me to focus on "strength, not length." Might Slowey pitch another 65 career innings because he got yanked? Sure. Will he ever have the opportunity to toss a no-no again? Likely not. I recognize that it's a team sport. I know the pinnacle is a World Championship. I recognize that the Twins are in a pennant race (whatever that means anymore). But baseball, and life, is made up of a series of moments, of opportunities to be seized. Disregarding these leads to a banal life of tedious regret. Sadly, Kevin Slowey was denied the chance to carpe diem.

Talk about the No Fun League

Following the Broncos/Bengals game Sunday, two media members (a Cincinnati reporter and a photographer) asked Tim Tebow for autographs in the post-game locker room. Graciously, Tebow obliged. Correctly, the Broncos media department booted both guys. I'm not trying to be judgmental, but WTF? You risk your reputation and your career on a Tebow signature? A man that hasn't played an NFL down? Really?

We recall Stefon Johnson, the USC running back who dropped a 275 lb barbell on his neck last fall and, thanks to his phenomenal neck musculature, survived. He defied expectation and imagination by rehabbing so intensely that he caught on as a free agent with the Titans. He made his preseason debut this past weekend by chewing up 23 yards in 3 carries. Remember him? He had his right leg trapped underneath him on a swing pass and had to be carted off the field in an inflatable cast. Seemingly, he has a high ankle sprain and will miss the entire season. When it rains...

In a story that I shan't belabor, Glen Cofee, former Alabama standout and 3rd round pick of the 49ers in the 2009 draft, has retired. Stating his true path was to follow christ, Coffee filed his retirement papers yesterday, citing that he "should never have entered the draft in the first place" and that he was "wasting the 49ers time."