BearSox

This is my top 10 as of now... I'll try and finish up the rest a little later, but don't expect any more explanations. 1.) Nationals - RHSP Stephen Strasburg, San Diego St. Shocking, I know. 2.) Mariners - OF/1B/2B Dustin Ackley, UNC There's been some talk of the Mariners backing off a bit, but I still think they go with Ackley. They could use his bat at either CF, LF, 2B, or 1B. 3.) Padres - RHSP Aaron Crow, Independant This is a tough one. I would say they would go in the route of a prep player, but the two that make the most sense here are asking for a ton (Matzek and Tate). I think they'll go with Crow who can help them out sooner and is a damn good prospect as well, and they could save 3+ million while doing it. 4.) Pirates - RHSP Alex White, UNC This pick looks like it will be either a catcher or pitcher. They've been rumored to be really interested in Tony Sanchez, but that would be quite the reach. They would prefer to not spend more than 4 million on this pick, and they seem to really want a pitcher. Alex White's draft stock has taken a hit in recent weeks, but some scouts feel he's still a top 10 pick and the Pirates should be able to sign him at around 4 million. 5.) Orioles - RHSP Zack Wheeler This was a tough one, but it looks like it will be a pitcher. I narrowed this pick to 3 players: Wheeler, White, and Turner. I thought about going White here since he seems like he might sign for slot, but decided to go with Wheeler because he has a lot of potential, IMO and is considered an easier sign than Turner. 6.) Giants - LHSP Tyler Matzek, California HS The Giants aren't usually afraid to pay a lot, and while they would prefer a position player here, Matzek would be too good to pass up. Matzek reminds me of a less polished version of Matusz (O's top pick last year), and if the Giants aren't afraid to match that 7 million dollar bonus he wants, they could get quite the player here (would probably be San Diego's pick if not for the contract demands). 7.) Braves - 3B/1B/LF Bobby Borchering, Florida HS Another tough one. If Wheeler was here, he'd be a lock to go to the Braves. The big question is if the Braves are willing to spend big money. If so, Donovan Tate would make a ton of sense as he fits the Braves MO of local high school players. However, I don't see them willing to pay that much money to a player with as many question marks as Tate. I think they'll go Borchering here. They need a potential replacement for Chipper in the near future, and Borchering is a similar player. If they feel he can stick at 3B, I think he'll be the pick, but even if he can't, his bat would play well at either 1B or LF. 8.) Reds - LHSP Mike Minor, Vanderbilt Rumors are that the Reds are looking for a left handed starter. Purke would be an option here, but I think they'd prefer a college arm and with Purke's contract demands, he could fall out of the 1st altogether. That leaves Rex Brothers and Mike Minor. I really wanted to go Brothers here, but Minor's name has been connected with Cincinnati more and he's a safer pick who could rise through the ranks faster. 9.) Tigers - RHSP Shelby Miller, Texas HS The Tigers have some financial concerns and it looks like they will have to be careful with how much they spend this year. Purke and Turner seem to have priced themselves out of consideration here. However, the Tigers love pitching and especially power arms. Shelby Miller here makes a lot of sense, especially if the Tigers feel his 4 million demands aren't too much. 10.) Nationals - RHSP Chad Jenkins, Kennesaw St. Nationals are likely going to go cheap here to try and save money because of Straburg's contract demands. However, Jenkins is a really good pitcher and the Nats are said to really, really like him and that he'll be the pick if he's available.

This is ridiculous. All these demands could really turn this whole drafts 1st round into a crap shoot.

From what I've gathered, these are some of the prep's with borderline ridiculous bonus demands: Tate, Purke, Shelby Miller, Jiovanni Mier, and Bobby Borchering. However, I don't think the later 3 have demands that match Tate and Purke.

Scheppers at 38 would be the ultimate jizz your pants picks.

I think the Yanks will go with an easy sign at 29, but there's a chance one or more of the top prep players fall to 76, and that's where the Yankees take a chance.

Why is Tanner Scheppers falling out of the 1st in all these mocks? Also, I'd love to get Tony Sanchez if those are our only options. Worst case scenario, he's a Kelly Shoppach type of player, and Kelly Shoppach had a ton of trade value with the Red Sox and is a solid major leaguer.

Doesn't look like Storen will be around for us... All these prep players and their high demands are pushing up all the college players. Looks more and more like Mitchell will be the pick, and even then, the Twins might take him at 22.

I think it's evident that the Nats are gonna draft an easy sign guy at 10 considering all the demands of Strasburg. At 10, they'll probably go with Brothers or Leake.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jun 9, 2009 -> 11:59 AM) What? No "Muhammed Aliwitz"? Actually, it's Cassius Claystein.

One guy I could see the Yanks going with is Slade Heathcott. They've been associated with his name for a while now, and while 29 might be a little early for Heathcott, it'll be the only time the Yankees have a chance to grab him. Plus, he should be a fairly easy sign, as I believe he has hopes of playing for the Yankees one day. Also, Heathcott is a legit 5 tool player though, but I guess there's some character concerns with him. He's a hell of an athlete as well.

It's beginning to look like the draft will be dominated by college players, and more and more high school players will opt to go to college instead, mainly because of their money demands.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jun 9, 2009 -> 10:34 AM) and somehow that woman made Maxim's Hot 100 list... well, you know, her husband is god.

What's the average bonus for a guy who goes between picks 10-15? Cause I think that's where Trout is headed, if his demands aren't well above the slot in that range.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 9, 2009 -> 11:44 AM) One of the top prep pitchers is expected to slide out of the first round due to his bonus demands. It is Texas lefty, Matt Purke. Yep, I've heard he's asking for Porcello money. I think some team will take a chance on him. Is is true the Yankees will be going after an easy sign after missing out on Cole last year? Cause there's a good chance some really good HS players fall to the yankees, notably Purke and Tate.

I've seen Walla mainly associated with the 3rd round, but I wouldn't mind drafting him in the 2nd. He can really hit. Looks like he'll be limited to LF though, maybe even 1B if he doesn't show a whole lot of range. Has a really strong arm though.

According to Sickles: Looks like we can eliminate any HS players if we are set on not wanting to go over slot.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jun 9, 2009 -> 11:23 AM) Show me the last time KW realized we weren't a contender? Hell, he didn't even sell in that awful 2007 season. Who were we gonna replace the vets with in 07 and 08? we had no prospects, and the only decent ones we had were sill 3-4 years away.

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Jun 9, 2009 -> 11:18 AM) if they hover around 5 games out KW won't go the fire sale route, it's not his MO. If anything he'd try and add a vet How many times have we've been a really sucky team with KW as GM? In 07, and it looks like this year. The difference though is this year, we actually have some decent prospects compared to 07 when we had s***. Also, it seems like KW is furious and there's some serious tension going on between Ozzie and KW. I wouldn't be surprised if KW wants the young guys to play, and to force Ozzie's hand, he'll trade away some of the vets.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jun 9, 2009 -> 11:16 AM) Please burn this thread. We're 4.5 out in June and we've been without our best player. I'm sorry, but I don't know how even CQ could magically turn this team around. Also, by all accounts, it looks like CQ isn't really close to returning. And no one cares if we're 4.5 out, this is just a bad team, that is playing in a bad division. I hope KW realizes this team isn't a playoff contender.

With the Fire Sale rumors flying around, I thought it'd be good if we put all the ideas and rumors and such in this thread. I'll start. I wonder if Atlanta would be interested in Dye. I'm sure they would, but I'm not sure if they'd give up much in trade discussions. However, if Jordan Schafer were to be part of the deal, you'd have to consider though. We also have 5 guys in the pen who could bring a lot back via trade: Jenks, Linebrink, Dotel, Thornton and Carrasco. Personally though, I wouldn't think about trading Thornton unless the package was unbelievable.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 9, 2009 -> 10:52 AM) Colon isn't going to add to a deal, neither will Contreras. Teams wouldn't take Contreras for nothing, and aren't going to throw Colon in their rotation for nothing either. If Colon comes off the DL and has a few decent outings, we could probably get a John Link type of prospect out of him. He's cheap, and some contending teams don't have better options for the back end of the rotation. The Brewers seem like a team that could be interested.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ Jun 9, 2009 -> 10:34 AM) yep it looks to appear that way. CR will go back to being the long reliever/ spot starter. I personally think CR has done a great job starting. However, KW and Ozzie want to take things a little slower with him as they feel he has started to aqcuire 'tired arm'. Which is understandable saying that he started as reliever then went to be a starter- so he wasn't neccesarily stretched out properly. His fastball didn't have nearly the same amount of pop the past two starts that he had in his first 3 starts. So that could very well be the case. Good observation.

I wonder if/when we decide to shop some players, Atlanta would likely be very interested in Dye. If we could get Schafer in return for Dye, that's a deal you gotta do, IMO. Schafer could play either CF or LF, and an OF of Schafer-Danks-Quentin in 2010 looks pretty good, at least for the future. Schafer could be the answer at leadoff hitter long term as well.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 8, 2009 -> 10:45 PM) No problem with speedy LF, especially with Danks in the system. Mitchell/Danks/Quentin for 2013 outfield! You're looking at a LOT of K's coming from LF and CF with that OF.

QUOTE (Palehosefan @ Jun 8, 2009 -> 10:40 PM) I think Mitchell's power could also be intriguing. He's absolutely ripped and bench pressed 335 pounds, and squatted 450 pounds before arriving on LSU's campus. If someone can correct his swing, he could be a special talent. If his swing can't be corrected then we might end up with Esix Snead. This reminded me of another reason why I don't like the idea of drafting football players, well at least not early. The whole strength programs are different. It's one thing for a football and baseball player out of HS, but coming out of college, they've spent 2-3 years doing some serious weight lifting for football that works areas that don't help in you baseball, but make you maybe even worse.