Rays will pick Beckham.

by Cory Alexander on Jun 5, 2008 1:26 AM EDT Comment 10 comments

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=893

Kevin Goldstein is reporting that Buster Posey is looking for up to 12 million dollars in a signing bonus, and unless that number dips drastically in the next 12 hours or so, the Rays are going to either take Tim Beckham or Pedro Alvarez.

Interesting how this has played out, I wonder if Beckham will have any signing issues has well. I'm sort of glad this is happening, as I would love to have Tim Beckham in our system.

EDIT:

"The Rays will take Griffin (Ga.) High SS Tim Beckham with the top pick in today's draft.

The Rays on Wednesday said they had narrowed the field to Beckham and Florida State catcher Buster Posey.

Here is what Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison said about Beckham at last week's media session:

"A really good player at a premium position. Middle of the field player, very good athlete, an advanced bat, had a real good awareness on the field. He plays the game with a great deal of enthusiasm, and then when you spend time with him away from the field, he's the same guy. He's a fun guy to be around.''

The draft starts at 2 p.m. and Rays officials will discuss the decision shortly after that. One question is likely to be about rumors, reported by Baseball Prospectus and other web sites, that Posey was seeking a package of $12-million."- Topkin from St. Pete times; http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2008/06/beckham-is-the.html

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He won't even get half that

I guess he has some leverage as a junior, he could return to FSU as a senior but 12 million is beyond ridiculous for someone who according to every scout only projects a fringe all-star, Jason Kendall, Darrell Porter, [Insert Comp Here] at his peak.

What this says to me is Buster Posey doesn’t want to go to Tampa Bay for some reason, whether is be that he is worried about Dioneer Navarro, not wanting to play in the small market, tired of Florida’s humidity and hurricane danger?

My question is does this mean that with Tampa no longer looking at Posey (assuming the bonus demand comes to fruition,) does this mean that the Rays take another look at Alvarez to keep the options open.

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by Trenchtown on Jun 5, 2008 2:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fringe all-star? n/t

by OldProspects on Jun 5, 2008 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah....

that’s being generous compared to what I heard/read. I can’t remember where I read it (I think Jason Stark) but he said several teams that he had talked to were saying it would be a mistake to take Posey first since he will never hit above 7th in a line-up.

"My mom always taught me it's better to laugh at yourself than to laugh at others. She was so wrong. ;)" -Pedrophile

by Boxkutter on Jun 5, 2008 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

remember

it could be posturing on tampa’s part as well.

12 million is ridiculous though. No way in hell he gets anything close.

Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.

by wildthang on Jun 5, 2008 2:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Beckham is the right move anyways

I just don’t think you take Buster Posey first overall.

If he really is asking 12 million lock and loaded, then he’s gonna tumble. Skipworth’s upside is more than enough to justify going with him over Posey if the contract demands between the two are significantly different.

by toonsterwu on Jun 5, 2008 3:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Either Beckham or Alvarez/Smoak would be better choices. I’m not even sure that Posey is the best catcher in the draft anyway. I realize there’s value in being a catcher, but in this case it’s over-done .

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by parrot11 on Jun 5, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Posey

i think that is ploying on the part of the Rays or another agent, as i dont think thats realistic. Posey is, in my opinion, a 8-12 pick prospect and knew that coming in to the draft, is NOT represented by Boras, so asking for that muchc doesnt make sense.

If its true, then Beckham is hte pick. There is absolutely NO consideration for Alvarez for the Rays here. None.

by AtlBr on Jun 5, 2008 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs