Baseball Rumor Mill

Barret Loux To Become Free Agent

June 7th, 2010 should have been one of the most exciting days in the life of former Texas A&M pitcher Barret Loux.  After being selected with the #6 pick in the 2010 amateur draft, Loux likely had visions of seven figure signing bonuses dancing in his head.  After all, the player chosen before him, Drew Pomeranz, signed for $2.65M with the Indians and the player chosen after him, Matt Harvey, signed for $2.5M with the Mets.

Unfortunately for Loux, everything went south in the middle of July when he failed a physical given by the Arizona medical staff and it seemed all but certain that the Diamondbacks would decline to sign Loux and instead receive the 7th pick of the 2011 draft as compensation. 

Barret Loux Kicks

The draftee signing deadline came and went this past Monday and Loux remained unsigned by the team that drafted him, marred by his failed physical.  Typically players do not sign because they either go to school (such as #14 pick, Dylan Covey) or want more money (such as #9 pick, Karsten Whitson).  Loux was in a very unique situation, having been unsigned for physical reasons.

The resulting situation was a tough one for Loux, who had no rights to negotiate with other teams while the Diamondbacks could sit back and take another pick next year and focus on signing their other draft picks.  However, everything changed for Loux yesterday when the Diamondbacks and Loux came to an agreement with the permission of the commissioners office to make Loux a free agent on September 1st, 2010, reports John Manuel of Baseball America.

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Draft Signing Rumors: Barret Loux, Kyle Parker, Zach Lee

While there have been rumors of Michael Choice, the 10th pick of the 2010 draft, signing with Oakland, nothing definitive has come out indicating that a deal is done.  In fact, for quite a while now movement on first round signings has been quiet.  That's not all that surprising as many are expected to take their contract negotiations down to the wire. 

In the meantime, we get to speculate on when, how and if players will sign.  Jason Churchill of espn.com and Jonathan Mayo of mlb.com did the honors for us recently with their evaluations of how the first round signing talks are going. 

Four of the top five picks have yet to sign (#4 Christian Colon has already agreed to a $2,75M signing bonus) and all indications look like all four will go down to the wire with their negotiations.  Mayo also lumps UNC pitcher Matt Harvey, the #7 pick by the Mets, and Yasmani Grandal, the #12 pick by the Reds, into that group.  The deadline to sign 2010 draft picks is August 16, 2010.

Barret Loux Kicks

Texas A&M pitcher Barrett Loux, the #6 pick, failed his physical with the Diamondbacks making thing complicated.  Both Churchill and Mayo compare his situation with that of Padres reliever Tim Stauffer, the #4 pick in 2003.  One alternative, Churchill writes, is to not sign Loux and take the 7th pick in the 2011 draft.

Mayo writes that the #8 pick, Delino DeShields Jr., is expected to sign with the Astros before the deadline.

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2010 First Round Draft Pick Signing Bonuses

After being selected in the first round or supplemental round of the 2010 Draft on June 8th, 2010, teams and players had until August 16th, 2010 at 11:59pm to agree to a signing bonus and begin their professional career or head to college.  The only exception to this rule are college seniors with whom there is no set time table for when they have to sign.

1) Washington: Bryce Harper - $9.9M signing bonus
2) Pittsburgh: Jameson Taillon - $6.5M signing bonus
3) Baltimore: Manny Machado - $5.25M signing bonus
4) Kansas City: Christian Colon - $2,75M signing bonus
5) Cleveland: Drew Pomeranz - $2.65M signing bonus
6) Arizona: Barret Loux - Did not sign, failed physical
7) New York Mets: Matt Harvey - $2.5M signing bonus
8) Houston: Delino DeSheilds Jr. - $2.15M signing bonus
9) San Diego: Karsten Whitson - No contract signed, will attend Florida
10) Oakland: Michael Choice - $2M signing bonus
11) Toronto: Deck McGuire - $2M signing bonus
12) Cincinnati: Yasmani Grandal - $3.2M signing bonus
13) Chicago White Sox: Chris Sale - $1,656M signing bonus
14) Milwaukee: Dylan Covey - Did not sign, will attend San Diego
15) Texas: Jake Skole - $1.557M signing bonus
16) Chicago Cubs: Hayden Simpson - $1.06M signing bonus
17) Tampa Bay: Josh Sale - $1.62M signing bonus
18) Los Angeles Angels: Kaleb Cowart - $2.3M signing bonus
19) Houston: Mike Foltynewicz - $1.3M signing bonus
20) Boston: Kolbrin Vitek - $1.359M signing bonus
21) Minnesota: Alex Wimmers - $1.332M signing bonus
22) Texas: Kellin Deglan - $1M signing bonus
23) Florida: Christian Yelich - $1.7M signing bonus
24) San Francisco: Gary Brown - $1.45M signing bonus
25) St. Louis: Zack Cox - $3.2M signing bonus
26) Colorado: Kyle Parker - $1.4M signing bonus
27) Philadelphia: Jesse Biddle - $1.16M signing bonus
28) Los Angeles Dodgers: Zach Lee - $5.25M signing bonus
29) Los Angeles Angels: Cam Bedrosian - $1.116M signing bonus
30) Los Angeles Angels: Chevez Clarke - $1.089M signing bonus
31) Tampa Bay: Justin O'Conner - $1.025M signing bonus
32) New York Yankees: Cito Culver - $954K signing bonus

Supplemental Round

33) Houston: Michael Kvasnicka - $936K signing bonus
34) Toronto: Aaron Sanchez - $775K signing bonus
35) Atlanta: Matt Lipka - $800K signing bonus
36) Boston: Bryce Brentz - $892K signing bonus
37) Los Angeles Angels: Taylor Lindsey - $873K signing bonus
38) Toronto: Noah Syndergaard - $600K signing bonus
39) Boston: Anthony Ranaudo - $2.55M signing bonus
40) Los Angeles Angels: Ryan Bolden - $829K signing bonus
41) Toronto: Asher Wojciechowski - $814K signing bonus
42) Tampa Bay: Drew Vettleson - $845K signing bonus
43) Seattle: Taijuan Walker - $800K signing bonus
44) Detroit: Nick Castellanos - $3.45M signing bonus
45) Texas: Luke Jackson - $1.557M signing bonus
46) St. Louis: Seth Blair - $751K signing bonus
47) Colorado: Peter Tago - 982,500 signing bonus
48) Detroit: Chance Ruffin - $1.15M signing bonus
49) Texas: Mike Olt - $717K signing bonus
50) St. Louis: Tyrell Jenkins - $1.3M signing bonus

2010 MLB Draft: First Round

A review of the first round of the 2010 draft.

1) Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper, College of Southern Nevada, C
2) Pittsburgh Pirates: Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands, RHP
3) Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado, Brito HS, SS
4) Kansas City Royals: Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton, SS

Christian Colon Throws To First

5) Cleveland Indians: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Barret Loux, Texas Tech, RHP
7) New York Mets: Matt Harvey, UNC, RHP
8) Houston Astros: Delino DeSheilds Jr., Woodward Park Academy, 2B
9) San Diego Padres: Karsten Whitson, Chipley HS, RHP
10) Oakland As: Michael Choice, UT-Arlington, OF
11) Toronto Blue Jays: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP
12) Cincinnati Reds: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C
13) Chicago White Sox: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP
14) Milwaukee Brewers: Dylan Covey, Marantha HS, RHP
15) Texas Rangers: Jake Skole, Blessed Trinity HS, OF

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2010 MLB Mock Draft: First Round

We've presented mock drafts from a number of different writers and publishers and multiple versions of their mock drafts.  With just a few hours left before the draft, it is time for Baseball Rumor Mill's shot at a mock draft of tonight's first round.

1) Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper, College of Southern Nevada, C
Little left to say here as this pick is set in stone.

2) Pittsburgh Pirates: Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands, RHP
Multiple reports have the Pirates taking Taillon

3) Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado, Brito HS, SS
This pick is down to Taillon or Machado, whomever Pittsburgh doesn't take

Manny Machado Finishes His Swing

4) Kansas City Royals: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP
Rumors about a pre-draft deal with Yasmani Grandal are falling apart.  The Royals have been rumored to want to keep costs down anyway, so Sale makes sense.

5) Cleveland Indians: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C
If the rumors about the Indians upping the Royals offer are true, Grandal will go here.

6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
All reports have Pomeranz going here

7) New York Mets: Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B
His rumored salary demands could send him tumbling, but the Mets have money and the big names have all gone in front of them.

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Draft Rumors on Twitter: Tony Wolters, Delino DeShields, Anthony Ranaudo

More draft rumors coming through on Twitter today.

  • Frankie Piliere from MLB Fan House writes that Braves are interested in Tony Wolters with the supplemental pick, #35.  Atlanta does not have a pick in the first round.
  • Jim Callis of Baseball America debunks the obscure rumor that the Orioles are considering Matt Harvey with the third pick. 

Matt Harvey 2

First Round Mock Draft: Jonathan Mayo

Jonathan Mayo of mlb.com gives us his spin on how the first round of Monday's draft will play out.

1) Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper, College of Southern Nevada, C
2) Pittsburgh Pirates: Manny Machado, Brito HS, SS
3) Baltimore Orioles: Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands, RHP
4) Kansas City Royals: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP
5) Cleveland Indians: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C
6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
7) New York Mets: Michael Choice, UT-Arlington, OF
8) Houston Astros: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP
9) San Diego Padres: Kolbrin Vitek, Ball State, 2B

Kolbrin Vitek At Bat

10) Oakland As: Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B
11) Toronto Blue Jays: Josh Sale, Bishop Blanchett HS, OF
12) Cincinnati Reds: Bryce Brentz, Middle Tennessee State, OF
13) Chicago White Sox: Barret Loux, Texas Tech, RHP
14) Milwaukee Brewers: Nick Castellanos, Archbishop McCarthy HS, 3B
15) Texas Rangers: Brandon Workman, Texas, RHP

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Updated First Round Mock Draft: Keith Law

Keith Law of espn.com presents his most recent mock draft.  Here's his new take on the first round.

1) Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper, College of Southern Nevada, C
2) Pittsburgh Pirates: Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands, RHP
3) Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado, Brito HS, SS
4) Kansas City Royals: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP
5) Cleveland Indians: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Matt Harvey, UNC, RHP
7) New York Mets: Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B
8) Houston Astros: Josh Sale, Bishop Blanchett HS, OF
9) San Diego Padres: Karsten Whitson, Chipley HS, RHP

Karsten Whitson Begins His Delivery

10) Oakland As: Michael Choice, UT-Arlington, OF
11) Toronto Blue Jays: Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton, SS
12) Cincinnati Reds: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C
13) Chicago White Sox: Asher Wojciechowski, The Citadel, RHP
14) Milwaukee Brewers: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP
15) Texas Rangers: Delino DeSheilds Jr., Woodward Park Academy, 2B

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First Round Mock Draft: Sports Illustrated

Keith Law of espn.com presents his most recent mock draft.  Here's his take on the first round.

1) Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper, College of Southern Nevada, C
2) Pittsburgh Pirates: Manny Machado, Brito HS, SS
3) Baltimore Orioles: Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands, RHP
4) Kansas City Royals: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP
5) Cleveland Indians: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP
7) New York Mets: Matt Harvey, UNC, RHP
8) Houston Astros: Michael Choice, UT-Arlington, OF
9) San Diego Padres: Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B
10) Oakland As: Stetson Allie, St. Edwards HS, RHP
11) Toronto Blue Jays: Gary Brown, Cal State Fullerton, OF

Gary Brown Orleans Firebirds


12) Cincinnati Reds: Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton, SS
13) Chicago White Sox: Brandon Workman, Texas, RHP
14) Milwaukee Brewers: Alex Wimmers, Ohio State, RHP
15) Texas Rangers: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C

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MLB Draft Rumors: Mets, Dylan Covey, Anthony Ranaudo

Keith Law of espn.com recently provided some rumors regarding Monday's amateur draft. 

  • Law confirms Churchill's earlier assertion that the Mets are interested in UNC pitcher Matt Harvey with the #7 pick.  This assumes someone like Manny Machado or Jameson Taillon does not fall to them.
  • Dylan Covey had a few tough outings to end his season and his draft stock has suffered because of it.  If the As (10) and Blue Jays (11) do not take him, he could slide all the way to the Angles at 18 or Astros at 19. 
  • The Blue Jays pick at 11 and are interested in high school catcher Justin O'Connor.

Justin O

  • The As at 12 also like O'Connor, but Law feels they'd take Cal State Fullerton SS Christian Colon before O'Connor.
  • Colon could also make sense for the Royals at #4 because he's a low risk player with a high probability of making it to the majors, even if he has a relatively lower professional ceiling.  Polished would be the word to describe Colon.

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2010 First Round Picks

Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper
Jameson Taillon
Jameson Taillon
Manny Machado
Manny Machado
Christian Colon
Christian Colon
Drew Pomeranz
Drew Pomeranz
Barret Loux
Barret Loux
Matt Harvey
Matt Harvey
Delino DeShields Jr.
Delino DeShields Jr.
Karsten Whitson
Karsten Whitson
Michael Choice
Michael Choice
Deck McGuire
Deck McGuire
Yasmani Grandal
Yasmani Grandal
Chris Sale
Chris Sale
Dylan Covey
Dylan Covey
Jake Skole
Jake Skole
Hayden Simpson
Hayden Simpson
Josh Sale
Josh Sale
Kaleb Cowart
Kaleb Cowart
Mike Foltynewicz
Mike Foltynewicz
Kolbrin Vitek
Kolbrin Vitek
Alex Wimmers
Alex Wimmers
Kellin Deglan
Kellin Deglan
Christian Yelich
Christian Yelich
Gary Brown
Gary Brown
Zack Cox
Zack Cox
Kyle Parker
Kyle Parker
Jesse Biddle
Jesse Biddle
Zach Lee
Zach Lee
Cameron Bedrosian
Cameron Bedrosian
Chevez Clarke
Chevez Clarke
Justin O'Connor
Justin O'Connor
Cito Culver
Cito Culver