Is Drew Bowman 2a?

[cressj]

Did Jack Z. and company take Bowman knowing that they can sign him IF Gallardo or others did not sign?

[IIAY]

WARNING: I have no insider knowledge, and this is pure conjecture on my part, but?

 

I think the Brewers plan to sign Bowman and that he will get 2nd round money. My assumption is based on the following:

 

1. Last year, Rickie Weeks signed major-league deal that will guarantee him a minimum of $4.8 million. If he reaches the majors in 2006 (which is very likely), then it becomes $5.1 million. Mark Rogers recently signed for a $2.2 million signing bonus. This is almost $3 million the Brewers saved on their first round pick alone.

 

2. Team Canada has already noted that they drafted a lot of players as potential DFE candidates. That, combined with the depth of the minor league system right now and the closing of the DR academy leads me to believe the Brewers will sign fewer picks than they did last year.

 

These two scenarios suggest they have some extra bucks to spend on guys top guys like Bowman, LeClerq, Chapman, Kretzschmar, Morgan, Pryor, etc. At this point, I can?t really argue with the strategy of targeting certain guys and doing what it takes to sign them.

 

In JZ and DM we trust!!

[11]

IIay:

 

I don't disagree with your points numbers 1 and 2. However, I disagree with your conclusions. This year's draft is like no other previous to it. It's about saving money and reducing slot $, not spending it because teams have extra $ based on last year or years before. This does not apply to just the Brewers, but a league-wide philosophy as 'mandated' by the Commissioner's office.

[HonoluluBrew]

1. Last year, Rickie Weeks signed major-league deal that will guarantee him a minimum of $4.8 million. If he reaches the majors in 2006 (which is very likely), then it becomes $5.1 million. Mark Rogers recently signed for a $2.2 million signing bonus. This is almost $3 million the Brewers saved on their first round pick alone.

 

By signing Weeks to a Major League deal, doesn't that enable the team to divide his bonus up throughout the life of his deal? I'm not positive about this, but I thought I remembered someone within the organization saying something about that. If that is the case, then they really wouldn't be "saving" money this year, as they would have to pay more upfront. Also, paying a draft pick $5 million was the exception, not the rule. Its not like they are saving money, because they will not be spending such a large amount of money on their first pick each year.

[colbyjack]

IIAY, you make solid points, some of which I wondered about all season (budgeting appropriately, especially considering what Weeks made last year).

 

But, as 11 pointed out with what teams are paying out, I don't think you can just assume the Brewers will have the same budget as last year since so many teams are really strapping down on signing bonuses. LeClercq was a very nice sign, but his signing bonus wasn't that crazy (I believe it was reported somewhere in the $130 range) compared to his slot value. Bowman on the other hand would receive an insane amount of money if he gets anywhere near the reported 2nd-3rd round bonus money he was looking for.

 

I think cress brings up a very good point. If the team is unable to sign Gallardo they may very well turn to Bowman, and that might have been their intent all along. Or maybe Morgan. And if so, that is a very, very good plan IMO. There's nothing wrong with burning a later pick on a risky sign, especially if their is a contingency in place. I still think Gallardo will end up signing, but then again, most expected Jarrad Page to sign in 2002, as he was even a guest on the Brewers radio broadcast shortly after the 2002 draft. When negotiations dragged on, all of the sudden the Brewers signed Steve Moss. We never found out what Moss got as a 29th rounder, and while the Brewers praised their local scouts for figuring out Moss' signability, I wouldn't be surprised if he signed for MUCH more than slot value, possibly as a backup plan if guys like Page & Kahn didn't sign. A big chunk of money handed to a late-round pick that fell due to various reasons will make any scout look good.

 

And Honolulu also brings up a good point. By signing Rickie to the deal we did the Brewers were able to spread out his deal over several years, instead of just giving him one lump sum. Although I have heard they do that anyway, even if a signing bonus is reported to be such & such amount. In the Matt Bush chronicles it was reported that the Padres already gave him $150k, or something like that, so it's not like they instantly cut him a check for the $3.15 million dollar signing bonus that was reported.

 

And that brings up an interesting discussion, who would you rather have, Gallardo or Bowman? I strongly doubt it will be both.

[cressj]

Has anyone heard if the Brewers are still actively pursuing Bowman (if they ever were)?