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General  | Top Ten | 8/15/2008

Rash of Major League Deals Loom

Allan Simpson
The signing deadline for the 2008 draft (Friday, 11:59 p.m.) is at hand and it could present some last-minute drama as 10 first-round picks, including five of the first seven selections, remained unsigned entering the final day. A number of prominent later-round picks are also hanging in the balance.

It’s anticipated that all but possibly one or two of the first-round picks will come to terms before the deadline, but negotiations with most are certain to become hot and heavy—if not tricky and complicated—before it’s all said and done.

Most clubs remain unwilling to hand out bonuses to their unsigned picks that are significantly above the slot amounts recommended by the commissioner’s office, and it’s anticipated that a number of the unsigned first-rounders, in particular, will end up signing major league contracts—a fallback option that has been utilized by teams throughout the draft’s 44-year history to minimize the immediate financial hit.

Most clubs remain unwilling to hand out bonuses to their unsigned picks that are significantly above the slot amounts recommended by the commissioner’s office, and it’s anticipated that a number of the unsigned first-rounders, in particular, will end up signing major league contracts—a fallback option that has been utilized by teams throughout the draft’s 44-year history to minimize the immediate financial hit.

A standard minor league contract that virtually all draft picks sign requires the signing bonus to be paid in full by the next calendar year—and teams typically pay half the amount upon approval of the contract, half the following January—but teams can lessen the burden by spreading out the bonus obligation over several years by signing players to major league deals. A second addendum to the standard bonus rule allows teams to spread out bonus payments over a five-year period to two-sport stars, done in large part to dissuade athletes to bolt for their second sport after they’ve received their full signing bonus. A number of 2008 draft picks have already signed such deals, notably Boston first-rounder Casey Kelly, the 30th overall pick who signed for $3 million (still the second largest bonus paid out so far).

To date, no major league contracts have been signed by 2008 draft picks. But there have been at least two major league contracts handed out ever year since 1998 and there were four awarded in 2007, including first-round pick David Price. Tampa Bay committed $8.5 million in bonuses and contract guarantees to Price, with additional incentives that could drive the total value of the contract to $11.25 million.

Of particular interest this year are the negotiations involving Pedro Alvarez (Pirates), Yonder Alonso (Reds) and Aaron Crow (Nationals), all college selections drafted in the first 10 picks.

Alvarez, the second overall selection, is in position to sign the largest bonus in this year’s draft—an ironic twist considering Pirates president Frank Coonelly previously was employed by the commissioner’s office and was charged with implementing and overseeing a de-facto bonus slotting system that discouraged teams from paying over-slot bonuses for fear of drawing the ire of that office. Alvarez, represented by hard-line agent Scott Boras, is poised to receive a major league contract and a financial package that could approach eight figures.

Alonso (seventh overall) and Crow (ninth overall) are also reported to be seeking hefty major league contracts, and have gone so far as to sign or threaten to sign deals with independent league clubs—both to leverage their situation with the deadline at hand, and provide an opportunity to play in the event they are not signed and will be forced to go back into next year’s draft. Crow signed with the American Association’s Fort Worth Cats, which prevents him from returning to the University of Missouri for his senior year. Crow could begin pitching for the Cats immediately, and by signing by the American Association’s own Aug. 15 deadline he would be eligible to pitch in post-season play.

Alonso has indicated he would sign with a team in the independent Atlantic League if the Reds do not meet his demands of a major league deal and financial package significantly above the $2.3 million slot earmarked for the seventh pick.
In addition to Alvarez, Alonso and Crow, it’s expected that three other college-developed players—Brian Matusz (Orioles, fourth overall), Buster Posey (Giants, fifth overall) and Justin Smoak (Rangers, 11th overall)—may also be extended major league deals. Two prominent high school first-rounders—Eric Hosmer (Royals, third overall) and Gerrit Cole (Yankees, 28th overall)—remain unsigned as well, and they will be handsomely compensated if they sign, but it’s unclear whether major league deals are in the offing for them.


When all the dust has settled, it’s possible that a record number of major league deals could be signed out of this year’s draft. The existing mark was set in 1975, when six draft picks agreed to major league contracts, including No. 1 overall pick Danny Goodwin (Angels). Ironically, the first round of the ’75 draft was regarded as possibly the most unproductive first round ever. On the accompanying top 10 list, we’ve highlighted some of the more prominent or intriguing major league contracts signed in draft history.

While it remains to be seen whether some fascinating major league deals will come out of this year’s draft, the fate of two more 2008 first-round draft picks—Josh Fields (Mariners, 20th overall) and Allan Dykstra (Padres, 23rd overall)—is also intriguing, though for different reasons. Fields was a senior this year at the University of Georgia, and the Aug. 15 signing deadline does not apply to college seniors. He could continue to negotiate with the Mariners until a week before next year’s draft. Dykstra had agreed in principle to a $1.4 million deal with the Padres in June, but a routine physical revealed a degenerative hip condition and that has held up the deal. It’s expected that Dykstra will either sign for a fraction of the original deal or return to Wake Forest for his senior year.

A complete list of bonus payments in the first 10 rounds,, along with the signing status of every team’s draft picks (and the college the unsigned players are scheduled to attend), is available elsewhere on the PG Crosschecker site. We'll continue to update the site as player signings (and bonus amounts) become availible.

In the meantime and in keeping with the rash of major league deals that could be consummated on the eve of the signing deadline, here’s our take on the most fascinating major league deals signed by drafted players (guaranteed amount of contract, including signing bonus, noted):
Rank Player Pos. School Drafted by (Round) Bonus *Package
1 Mark Prior RHP Southern California Cubs '01 (1) $4,000,000 $10,500,000
  The “best college pitcher ever” received the largest package deal in draft history as No. 2 overall selection in 2001
2 Bo Jackson OF Auburn Royals '86 (4) $100,000 $1,066,000
  In one of the draft’s great coups, Royals dug deep to buy Jackson away (temporarily) from promising NFL career
3 Bob Horner 3B Arizona Braves '78 (1) $162,000 $183,000
  Horner justified his contract by being selected National League Rookie of the Year in same year he was drafted
4 Todd Van Poppel RHP Martin HS, Arlington Athletics '90 (1) $500,000 $1,200,000
  Braves weren’t prepared to meet Van Poppel’s price tag, and compromised on Chipper Jones as top pick in ’90 draft
5 David Clyde LHP Westchester HS, Houston Rangers '73 (1) $65,000 $87,500
  Nation’s all-time prep strikeout leader, top ’73 pick drew sellout crowd in his debut, literally saving Rangers franchise
6 Mark Teixeira 1B Georgia Tech Rangers '01 (1) $4,500,000 $9,500,000
  Second-largest major league deal ever signed was overshadowed because he signed on same day as Prior
7 J.D. Drew OF St. Paul (Northern) Cardinals '98 (1) $3,000,000 $7,000,000
  A year after snubbing Phillies as second overall pick and signing independent league deal, Drew hit paydirt with Cards
8 David Espinosa SS Gulliver Prep, Miami Reds '00 (1) None $2,950,000
  Cash-strapped Reds couldn’t afford to sign Espinosa, so got creative and used credit card to defer full $3 million
9 Rick Porcello RHP Seton Hall Prep, West Orange, N.J. Tigers '07 (1) $3,580,000 $7,000,000
  Porcello slid in ’07 draft as teams weren’t prepared to meet bonus demands, but Tigers stepped to plate with big deal
10 Jace Brewer SS Baylor Devil Rays '00 (5) $450,000 $1,200,000
  Despite being just a fifth-rounder, Rays were determined to sign Brewer and unwisely spent $1.2 million to do so
*Includes guaranteed amount of contract (including bonus, salary, incentives)
--ALLAN SIMPSON
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General | Blog | 6/16/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 66
Ron Wolforth
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PG East World Series Preview

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Perfect Game Staff
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Perfect Game Staff
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UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 2

Jordan Gates
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Perfect Game Staff
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Perfect Game Staff
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Perfect Game Staff
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Perfect Game Staff
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