Weeks Update

[squarepusher]

I'm hearing Weeks will probably get a 2004 MLB contract. Stinks that he'll start burning up option years, but as long as he progresses, I suppose that point is moot...

[Dollarbill13]

Do you have any source on this or are you basing it off of the Major League Contract that Tampa's GM was talking about for Delmon?

[colbyjack]

That stinks. Not a good way to start your career in the eyes of the fans. For Rickie (hoping he doesn't refer to himself as "Rickie" http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif ) he's going to be a very rich & I'm assuming happy man.

 

Seriously, he better be ready to play at the highest level very VERY soon. So much for my prediction of him signing by the end of the month...http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

 

2 questions:

 

One: If he does sign a 2004 contract, would he be eligible to play in the Arizona Fall League, and does anyone think the Brewers would want him to start his pro career there?

 

Two: Would anyone let Rickie walk & take the comp pick in next year's draft instead?

[nikip43]

you don't let a middle infielder with a .400 batting average with a great work ethic walk...unless he won't stay after he becomes a FA or will be demanding A-Rod type money.

 

too much talent at a rare position

[squarepusher]

dollarbill:

I have a source...

 

everyone else:

It's not a big deal really, as long as he gets to the major leagues in three years anyway.

 

On the negative side, it starts his option years rolling immediately, and takes up a space on the 40-man.

 

On the positive side, it allows the Brewers to tinker with the bonus/salary situation.

 

I don't think the negatives outweigh him getting signed.

[PeaveyFury]

It's not a big deal really, as long as he gets to the major leagues in three years anyway.

 

But three short words just keep haunting me: Willy Mo Pena

 

I don't think the negatives outweigh him getting signed.

 

Yeah, if it's a major league deal or no deal, then we've really got no choice but to accept it.

 

HOWEVER, one other major negative: We're really going to have a problem finding space on the 40-man for all the guys that will need to go on this offseason as it is. Considering that we seem to be headed for the 1st or 3rd pick next year too, are we prepared to put ANOTHER guy on the 40-man way before we want to after the 2004 draft?

[colbyjack]

It's not a big deal really, as long as he gets to the major leagues in three years anyway.

 

On the negative side, it starts his option years rolling immediately, and takes up a space on the 40-man.

 

I'm not so sure that it's not a big deal. I'm really fearful of him being that much closer to free agency. I'd like to see this guy play for as long as possible.

 

Taking a spot on the 40-man doesn't really bother me.

 

And I'm cranky because I really wanted to see him down in Beloit this summer. Brian, I think you stated earlier this week that your summer would be complete when you could see Palmisano, Fielder, Gwynn & Weeks all in Beloit by the end of the year. I think you got my hopes up too much http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

But you're right, it does allow the Brewers to spread out the bonus. It didn't seem likely to begin with that they could simply hand over a $3.5 million + bonus.

 

On a related note, MassBrew should be happy that the Marlins have signed their first-rounder, Massachusetts native Jeff Allison for $1.85 million.

[colbyjack]

Peavey brought up a good point about all of the guys we're going to need to add to the 40-man this offseason. Now I'm not so sure that I don't have a problem with Weeks taking a spot.

 

However, if I have to choose between the major league deal or no deal at all, I'm all for the MLB deal.

[squarepusher]

Does Weeks getting a major league deal really have any impact regarding when he becomes a free agent? Or even arby eligible?

 

As far as I know, it's only major league service time that counts towards both....

[colbyjack]

Does Weeks getting a major league deal really have any impact regarding when he becomes a free agent? Or even arby eligible?

 

As far as I know, it's only major league service time that counts towards both....

 

If that's the case, please forgive me as I delete my posts http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

Seriously, I can never keep track of the contract/arby/free agent/service time stuff.

[batman]

However, if I have to choose between the major league deal or no deal at all, I'm all for the MLB deal.

 

I agree. It's not ideal, but it's better than letting him go... I don't see how he has this much bargaining power, though. Would he really be willing to head back to Southern?

 

~Bill

[xisxisxis]

However, if I have to choose between the major league deal or no deal at all, I'm all for the MLB deal.

 

Let him walk and take the supplemental next year. He has enough questions that I wouldn't have a problem if the brewers said see ya.

 

 

Would he really be willing to head back to Southern?

 

Even if he had a similar year at Southerm, he would have no bargaining power when drafted as a senior so I say the Brewers should just say NO to a major league contract. If he threatens to walk, fine. This team isn't one prospect away from succeeding and Weeks still has a TON to prove.

[Al the Thinking Man]

I said earlier I'd let him walk if he demanded a major league deal. I probably would make an exception, but it goes against everything I believe in.

 

As for the bonus, you can do that any way you like, regardless. Joe Mauer had his split up 4 times, if I recall.

 

Signing a MLB deal has nothing to do with arby or free agency.

[docduany]

In this worst case scenario, where would the supplemental pick fall? And I don't think that Rickie has any eligibility left at Southern.

[SoCalBrewfan]

If the supposed new rules are in effect, where the comp pick is also #2 overall, I'd think very seriously about it. If the comp pick is a supplemental 1st rounder, as would be the case under the old rules, well, that's not adequate compensation for losing Weeks IMO. He should have one more year of eligibility at Southern, but it's unlikely that he's going to better his draft position or signing bonus by returning for another year....and it certainly isn't the kind of competition that will have him developing as he needs to.

 

In general, major league deals are not a great idea...but that's more true for 18 year olds who haven't played college ball, or older players who have major development issues. Pena was very young when he signed his, as was the Reds' David Espinosa. But then Mark Prior signed a major league deal...not a problem in that case. Other prominent names who signed major league deals right out of the draft: Bo Jackson, Ben McDonald, John Olerud, Todd Van Poppel, A-Rod, Pat Burrell, J.D. Drew, Chad Hutchinson, Josh Beckett, Eric Munson, Xavier Nady, Mark Teixeira...in most of those cases, it was not an issue, even for HS kids A-Rod and Beckett. The worst cases fit into two categories: HS kids Espinosa and Van Poppel, who didn't have time to develop properly, and then the pure busts: Hutchinson, Munson (arguably)...it's doubtful that a standard contract would have made a difference here. And then there's Dane Sardinha, a college catcher who might not hit in time, but then might not hit ever...I would argue that the Reds blew it in that case.

 

Still up in the air: Jace Brewer of TB, Dewon Brazelton, Jeremy Guthrie, Jeff Baker. I'd guess Brewer is a case where it doesn't work out...for the other guys it may or may not be an issue.

 

Arby and free agency clocks aren't started until you're on the 25-man roster, so that shouldn't be much of an issue.

[igor67]

Not really happy about that, but as someone else said it helps somewhat that he's had a couple of college years. I think the most important thing is not to rush him even though you can hear the clock. You want him to have success early and often because if you can get him to AA and excelling in 3 years he's got the talent for the rest of the jump. I'd probably start him in Beloit next year and be prepared to move from there.

 

I wonder if the Brewers might have him play winter ball? it's fairly advanced and he might struggle some but it's experience.

[pogokat]

id start him in high desert...though i dont want to block callix...i think that rickie can handle it...and if he cant...then hes gonna have trouble sticking in the majors in three years

[Member]

With this talk of Weeks getting a 2004 ML contract, is there any chance of him signing in 2003 and getting some playing time while 2004 is his first option year?

[squarepusher]

I don't think there's any chance we'll see Weeks play any 2003 baseball. Maybe they'd be able to shuffle him off to an instructional league in fall or winter ball or something, but I think at this point, this season's a lost cause.

 

As long as he doesn't attend class this fall, I'm not going to start worrying.

[SoCalBrewfan]

I would imagine it likely that Weeks signs an 04 deal in time to play in the fall instructional league...this based on the hints above. Depending on how that goes, he could well start in, say, High Desert next year...that would be a fine level and park to get him jump-started. Beloit is too cold in April...I don't know how you people do it, living there...

 

Please note that this is not inside information, just the idle speculation of a fan who may or may not have a clue.

[bjamesw22]

I agree SoCal, High Desert is probably the best place to start him. Beloit is cold in April. I don't know how I used to play in it myself. I certainly remember having my hands sting a lot! Many players struggle in cold weather and I don't think we want him starting off in a slump of any kind. That is one thing that is really nice about Miller Park, no more having to go to opening day with a winter coat and gloves! But yeah, I agree with Brian, I don't think there is any chance we'll see him this year. Possibly in an instructional league but I don't think he'll do that even. I definitely don't have any info on that but it's just my guess. As much as I'd love to watch him in Beloit next year I'm thinking the chances aren't going to be very good. I would expect him to start in High Desert and move up to AA mid-season next year to be in the second wave of prospects to come to milwaukee. Who knows what they haven't mind. We'll probably get a better view of the situation once he signs.

 

~Wally

[odawg13]

Friday, Josh Boyd of Baseball America mentioned in his chat room that there might be an update on the top four draft picks and their progress, or in this case, lack of progress in signing in an updated draft notebook by Jim Callis. Their should be some info concerning Weeks, so keep your eyes open for that.

[batman]

"Crunch time" - Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

 

The Brewers are accelerating talks with the agent of second baseman Rickie Weeks, the second pick in the June draft, in an effort to get him on the field this summer. General manager Doug Melvin said if no deal is reached by Aug. 1, he'll probably forget about this year and focus on a deal for 2004.

 

"We're still working on it," Melvin said.

 

None of the top four picks has signed and they all appear to be playing a game of chicken, to see who goes first. Tampa Bay is not close to signing No. 1 pick Delmon Young, a high school outfielder. The Devil Rays are thought to have offered $3.75 million, more than the $3.6 million suggested by Major League Baseball.

 

Whether the contract begins this year or in 2004, the Brewers probably will give a major-league deal to Weeks, spreading out the payments.

 

The Brewers never have given a major-league contract to a draft pick.

 

~Bill

[colbyjack]

Take this for what it's worth, but a poster over on the T1 message boards is reporting that a source close to him is reporting that Weeks will be signed by Milwaukee very soon, specifically mentioning it will happen Tuesday afternoon in Milwaukee. Keep your fingers crossed...

[Member]

So... for strictly selfish reasons, is there any chance we'd see him in Beloit before the end of August, if this were indeed true? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif