July 22, 200322 yr It would appear that, once again, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are not going to be able to sign their No. 1 draft pick in time for him to make his professional debut this summer. Carter Gaddis of the Tampa Tribune reports that Delmon Young, younger brother of the Tigers' hot-hitting Dmitri Young and No. 1 pick in the 2003 amateur draft, is seeking more than the Rays are willing to offer. "We did everything we thought that was important from our standpoint to try to get it done quickly," Rays general manager Chuck LaMar told Gaddis. "And not all the blame falls on Delmon and his family. The system that we're in right now says that there's a lot of money involved with a pick that high." This will mark the third year in a row that the Rays have been unable to come to terms with their top draft pick in time for him to get his feet wet professionally. Last year it was B.J. Upton (No. 2 overall) and the year before that it was pitcher Drew Brazleton (No. 3 overall) who were not signed in a timely fashion. It is generally believed that teams are trying to reduce the amount of bonus money they need to pay to amateur draftees, but that isn't preventing Young from seeking something in the $4 to $5 million range. As leverage, he has a scholarship to the University of Arizona. Joe Borchard used a similar scholarship to pry a good chunk of change out of the White Sox after the 2000 draft. Will the Rays hold the line on spending and let him go to college? This is another argument in favor of drafting college players instead of high schoolers with top picks. The college lads cannot use scholarships as leverage against the drafting teams and are more likely to sign. LaMar remains optimistic that Young will join the fold. "The negotiations are not only cordial, but very professional, I don't think there's any question that Delmon wants to be a Devil Ray. There's no question in our mind that not only do we want him to be, but we're going to get this thing done.''
July 22, 200322 yr Author What are the chances of the Sox gat tis guy??? Doubtful. If he can't be signed he goes back into the draft and gets picked by someone in the top 5 who can afford him
July 22, 200322 yr And if he enrolls in a four year school, he is history for three years. I haven't heard where he might be going. Tampa, I believe, will get some sort of compensation pick if he doesn't sign.
July 22, 200322 yr Young could be a draft eligible Sophomore at Arizona, and the Rays would get the #2 overall pick next year.
July 22, 200322 yr Young could be a draft eligible Sophomore at Arizona, and the Rays would get the #2 overall pick next year. How would he be a draft eligible sophmore?
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.