BAd NEws

by M_Y_isDANK on Jun 7, 2007 7:48 AM CDT

Keith LAws latest posted a 3 am this morning has the rangers taking alderson at 17 and Borbon at 24... wow i hope this isnt the case, especially since his has them passing on both harvey and porcello at 17 and porcello again at 24... man i am nervous

Tweet Comment 53 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

That

would blow...

Arias is the third cousin of David Ortiz? Sucks for Big Papi...

by miles on Jun 7, 2007 7:43 AM CDT reply actions

Good thing mock drafts

Are rarely ever right after the first 5 picks.

I mean how much does this Porcello kid want? If its ridiculous, then pass that shit to the left hand side.

by TexGoesYard on Jun 7, 2007 8:24 AM CDT reply actions

The Newberg Report

made me happy this morning. Although the info about Callis' 05 draft was seriously depressing

Buck-.252/.356/.496 (in 135 MLB AB's)
JMJ--.232/.317/.498 (in 233 A+ ball AB's)

I'm really starting to get excited about this Porcello guy possibly being available when the Rangers pick. Hopefully the Rangers don't blow it.

by hurley325 on Jun 7, 2007 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Porcello

yes what exactly is making him fall so far?? can it be so much that he would fall from 2 to 30 as in keith laws mock

by M_Y_isDANK on Jun 7, 2007 8:53 AM CDT reply actions

One thing

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

by hightowersmith on Jun 7, 2007 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Porcello

wants a Major League contract

by Lucas on Jun 7, 2007 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions

$10 million signing bonus demand

This is the chance for Hicks to show what he's made of. Will he pony up (assuming he gets the chance?)

by LukeR on Jun 7, 2007 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions

He'd be an idiot

If he wants $10 million dollars, pass, put that money back in your pocket, and go get a guy in the offseason that has actually shown something in pro baseball

Chris Young/Adrian Gonzalez for Aki Otsuka, the new Sammy Sosa/Wilson Alvarez for Harold Baines

by badradiorules on Jun 7, 2007 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions

MLB.com

Has us taking Borbon at 17 and Harvey at 24.

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Jun 7, 2007 8:58 AM CDT reply actions

Pay Porcello!!

Pay him. You have to.

by mattrpav on Jun 7, 2007 9:48 AM CDT reply actions

$10 Million

and a major league contract? That gives me pause. I wouldn't do that unless I was absolutely certain he was the next Clemens, and even then the injury and flame out risks would make me hesitant.

by t ball on Jun 7, 2007 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions

The world is full of risks

I just cringe when I think of Zito, Kazmir and Weaver getting away because we didnt want to pony up the money. The money that gets wasted on guys like Vince Sinisi and Patrick Boyd is a drop in the bucket compared to the money we waste on guys like Lofton, Gagne and Michael Young.

Mitt Romney should "get out his small-varmint gun and drive those Guatemalans off his lawn" -- Sen John McCain

by DJCahill on Jun 7, 2007 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree that some money was wasted

on those guys, but when I hear major league contract all I can think about is Tod Van Poppel.

by t ball on Jun 7, 2007 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Major league contracts

A-rod
Max Scherzer
Luke Hochevar

others?

by mattrpav on Jun 7, 2007 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Tex

and Prior I think, seems like Weaver and Drew, but I'm not totally sure there.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Wily Moo Pena

by Lucas on Jun 7, 2007 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah

He's the classic example of a trapped, underdeveloped player.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Me too

and I wouldn't hesitate if he were a college player. It's being specifically a HS pitcher that makes it tough. But hey, maybe he's worth all of it.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions

High School

That's where I was coming from with my Van Poppel reference.

by t ball on Jun 7, 2007 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Very rare

For every Zito, that you don't give into and then pan out, there are 100 guys with the same demands that don't pan out.

Chris Young/Adrian Gonzalez for Aki Otsuka, the new Sammy Sosa/Wilson Alvarez for Harold Baines

by badradiorules on Jun 7, 2007 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Hicks has to drop the cash..

.. to show the fans he is committed. If they guy does turn out to be Josh Beckett, it will be a steal. If youpick up some putz with him available, and he turns into Josh Beckett-- Hicks is toast AGAIN.

by mattrpav on Jun 7, 2007 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions

pay him

isnt this what we have been saving our financial flexibility for?? maybe he will take some off the top if we hook him up with some of Arods old ho's, i am sure they are looking for new work

by M_Y_isDANK on Jun 7, 2007 9:58 AM CDT reply actions

Mocks

Every mock draft I've seen lately has Porcello available when the Rangers pick at 17. One of them has him dropping all the way to the Yankees at #30. After a little research on the kid, I can't see any reason why he doesn't deserve a big bonus and a major league contract. Pick him and then sign him quickly.

"My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." --Tommy Lasorda

by BReed on Jun 7, 2007 10:09 AM CDT reply actions

Also,

for what's it's worth, he has 4 above average major league pitches, is compared to Verlander who we saw first hand last night and sports a 3.94 GPA.

"My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." --Tommy Lasorda

by BReed on Jun 7, 2007 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Masset

has five plus pitches and a 6.88 GPA on a four point scale.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions

ok...

and he turned out to be a pretty good pick, didn't he?

"My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." --Tommy Lasorda

by BReed on Jun 7, 2007 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Ignore that

Just a little joke that's totally unrelated to Porcello.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Major League Contract

is a REALLY scary proposition when you're talking about a HS pitcher. The pressure that it puts on your big investment is very unfortunate. It's a horrible thing for Boras to go along with or suggest.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Vaild point

but you also have to consider the kid's makeup as well.

"My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." --Tommy Lasorda

by BReed on Jun 7, 2007 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions

You're right

and obviously guys like Hughes, Bailey and Gallardo are barely making it to the majors in time before they would have run out of options. So if we could be guaranteed that Porcello turns out as good as those guys (and there is at least a decent chance that he does since he seems to have similar talent) then you're in good shape. But what if he gets hurt? What if his mechanics get out of whack and he has control problems for a while? If anything goes wrong, you're going to be in a situation where he is out of options and not ready for the majors.

Then, what if he makes it, but gets bombed for about eight starts (and that's pretty likely in Arlinton and with our luck). You're out of luck. He's out of options. All you can do is stick him in the pen or keep running him out there to get shelled.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Again, vaild points

but the baseball draft is about taking risks. That's how you get superstars. If you play it safe and take guys you can sign cheap then you'll get exactly what the Rangers have now. Cheap, average to below average players.

"My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." --Tommy Lasorda

by BReed on Jun 7, 2007 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions

Absolutely

Totally agree on that. It's just very frustrating to get the demand of both the bloated bonus and the major league contract, when we're talking about a HS pitcher, because they work against each other. You're making such a huge commitment/gamble, then raising the level of difficulty significantly by putting that time element in there.

There is at least a chance that Boras is throwing that in there as a bargaining chip, but if he's serious about it, it goes from very tempting to something I'd really have to be hesitant about.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Very true

I don't think it would take 10 mil to sign this kid and I agree that Boras is doing what he always does and putting that out there to enhance the kid's value. That being said, the Rangers should not let that scare them off. He would be a steal at #17.

"My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." --Tommy Lasorda

by BReed on Jun 7, 2007 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Please tell me

he is the only HS player looking for a Major league deal.

Harvey isn't, is he?

"Why wasn't I moved by Million Dollar Baby? Because I have no soul, that's why." The Dirkatron, movie hater

by Brian Thomas on Jun 7, 2007 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions

Porcello

I'm not convinced it will take a major league deal to sign Porcello, that could be Boras doing what he does best.

"My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." --Tommy Lasorda

by BReed on Jun 7, 2007 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Also

What if he can't handle the money and being on his own. That changes guys, especially 18 year old guys. See Josh Hamilton and Jeff Allison and others. Those guys were can't miss guys as well.

Just make sure he isn't missing a ligament in his elbow

Chris Young/Adrian Gonzalez for Aki Otsuka, the new Sammy Sosa/Wilson Alvarez for Harold Baines

by badradiorules on Jun 7, 2007 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions

If we take Borbon

We might as well write this franchise off for awhile. It'd be yet another "Athlete over Baseball Player" pick, and they never seem to out well.

Mitt Romney should "get out his small-varmint gun and drive those Guatemalans off his lawn" -- Sen John McCain

by DJCahill on Jun 7, 2007 10:15 AM CDT reply actions

If we take Borbon

How about Vince Young at #24, Lebron James with the next pick, Teddy Ginn with the next pick. If we are going to get good athletes that can't play baseball, lets get really good athletes that can't play baseball

Chris Young/Adrian Gonzalez for Aki Otsuka, the new Sammy Sosa/Wilson Alvarez for Harold Baines

by badradiorules on Jun 7, 2007 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Boras client

I don't know anything about Borbon, but being a Boras client does give him some credibility. Boras doesn't represent just any player.

"My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." --Tommy Lasorda

by BReed on Jun 7, 2007 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions

No

He represents guys that can make money and in the screwed up world of the Major League draft, Pedro Borbon can make a lot of money

Chris Young/Adrian Gonzalez for Aki Otsuka, the new Sammy Sosa/Wilson Alvarez for Harold Baines

by badradiorules on Jun 7, 2007 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Guys come on

10 Million dollars? For a kid who has not done ONE thing in professional baseball.

Shit there are alot of guys currently on MAJOR LEAGUE rosters who have done alot more than this kid, and dont even sniff 10 million dollars.

by TexGoesYard on Jun 7, 2007 10:25 AM CDT reply actions

Porcello

Just looked at the video of him on MLB.com, he really does look like a right handed Randy Johnson with a nice smooth delivery that should keep his arm from falling off.

"My theory of hitting was just to watch the ball as it came in and hit it." --Tommy Lasorda

by BReed on Jun 7, 2007 10:51 AM CDT reply actions

Zyw.......

"The pressure that it puts on your big investment is very unfortunate. It's a horrible thing for Boras to go along with or suggest."

Why would you say that? Boras asking for a major league deal (and $10MM) is in the very best interest of his client if you ask me. Either he's as good as he appears to be and his clock to get to FA is that much faster, or he's not all he's thought to be and is set for life.

I don't see how taking a lesser deal, even if it affords less "pressure" is better for the player. The odds are he flames out and is selling tires in Topeka in 8 years. How can asking for the biggest, fattest contract be bad?

by bdavison94 on Jun 7, 2007 11:05 AM CDT reply actions

Obviously

my reasoning is that it reduces the chances that his client has a successful major league career. I think that you can debate whether or not that added risk is worth the extra money and status that he's getting him, but I don't see how you could argue that it doesn't potentially present a negative impact on his career.

To me, arguing that giving a HS pitcher a major league contract is a good thing for the player is kind of like saying that giving a 10 year old $15k and making him leave his parents and go out on his own is a good thing. He's getting more freedom and and a bunch of money, so how could it be a bad thing, right?

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions

And....obviously.....

I understand that your thought that it has the potential to reduce the chance for a successful career.

With the odds being around 1 in 4 that he ever even makes it to free agency with a MLB team the added pressure is WELL worth the risk.

Come on Z....a 10 year old and 15k? I expect better reasoning than that from you. Not the same. And to quote one of my favorites...."Ain't even the same f'in sport".

by bdavison94 on Jun 7, 2007 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Two different things

It may be well worth the risk for the team, but it's not well worth the risk for the player. What has he gained in getting that contract? Some assured benefits and better treatment while he's still a minor leaguer? I just don't see how you can say that those things are worth risking your career, when you're one of the most talented guys in the world and have a chance to make hundreds of millions of dollars if you are properly developed.

And if you don't like my analogy, you're over analyzing it. Giving a 17-18 year old pitching prospect a major league deal forces him to be ready to face major league hitters - permanently - before he's likely to be ready to. And while the benefits of getting that major league deal seem good at the time, in the long run they are likely to do more damage than good. That's the extent of the comparison, and it's very similar to a kid having to go out on his own before he's ready, though obviously less drastic.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

question

Aren't there some knowledgeable people that argue that good pitchers only learn to be great pitchers by facing major league hitters? Not specifically about Porcello because I don't know his profile, but if you take a guy that has command and control of 3 pitches and can throw a mid-90s fastball, what does he learn at rookie ball? A ball? When does he start learning? AA? I think we have seen that it only take two pitches at AA. Triple-A??

My point is, what did Josh Beckett miss out on developing because he only had 200 minor league innings? He spent no time at Triple-A and didn't pitch 100 innings at any single level before the majors...

by Brandon Wilson on Jun 7, 2007 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

by mattrpav on Jun 7, 2007 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Response to Z.....

It is worth the risk for the player. Simply because the odds that he will make "hundreds of millions of dollars" is so very small. You're probably talking about at best a 5% or 10% chance really. If 30% of first rounders make it to MLB at all then what are the numbers for those to get the really big money?

I understand that you are saying he might be giving up on a chance at really big bucks. Really though you're not talking about money to set him for life anymore. You're now talking about setting families far down the road for life. $10MM sets HIM for life. $100MM sets his kids kids for life. Now as an 18 year old which is probably the best route to take? It depends on the person but give me the money. At that point I don't have ANY pressure. I'm set. I can go out and do my best to be the best. I'm not pitching for that one big contract anymore.

a bird in the hand....

by bdavison94 on Jun 7, 2007 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmmm.....

maybe I misunderstood your 10 year old comment.

If you meant from the teams point of view then I totally agree. Giving a HS kid that kind of money is stupid. I do think Boras asking for that type of money is in the best interest of the player (assuming he can get it).

by bdavison94 on Jun 7, 2007 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Good article

Here's an article that explains the new rules this year on unsigned draft picks and how they are giving the team more leverage than ever.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/features/264197.html

Chris Young/Adrian Gonzalez for Aki Otsuka, the new Sammy Sosa/Wilson Alvarez for Harold Baines

by badradiorules on Jun 7, 2007 11:12 AM CDT reply actions

About Porcello...

Doesn't it seem like you could pay him extra to step back from his MLB Roster Spot demand? As much as I really really want the Rangers to take him if he's there, I don't want him if they can't get him to back off of that demand.

That's a very frustrating thing.

by GhettoBear04 on Jun 7, 2007 12:19 PM CDT reply actions