If hypothetically I’m in a rebuild mode and need studs on offense and defense, which of these two choices would you draft with the 1st overall pick?

(1) Quite possibly a once in a lifetime pitcher with 70 stamina as a slight concern (but great makeup, high 80's and great durability, mid 30's) and the BIG concern being risky signing prospect of "Undecided. He has scholarships on the table to play D-1 Basketball."

OR

(2) An above average defensive short stop or third baseman with ELITE perennially all star hitting capabilities with the slight concern is only 65 makeup and major concern being his 70 durability. . I estimate that maybe he would only play 125-140 games per season at that rate. But he is an easy sign, would sign asap.

Please share your thoughts. Thanks!

This is just my train of thought. Assume three things: 1/ Your scouting budget is high enough to place faith in projections. 2/ Even if it's 20 million the projections will still be off by some amount. 3/ Health rating between these two is similar.

If I'm certain the SP is going to be an absolute monster, and I mean better than the average "nice career" SP who goes #1 overall, I take the SP. If not, I take the SS.

Supply numbers?

"Undecided" usually signs. BUT-- you have to know what to do if he outright rejects your offer (ie, if instead of accepting or demanding more, he says outright, "I'm not going to sign").

1) DO NOT delete the email with the rejection in it.
2) Use that email to get back to the negotiations page. It will be the only way you can re-open the negotiations with that prospect.
3) Repeat your initial offer.
4) If you repeat steps 1-3, eventually-- and for an "undecided" it will likely be on the second try-- he will ask for more money and then sign.

The hypothetical I am discussing, let's assume they have 20/20 for High School and College scouting.

Worst case scenario, if the guy never signs, you get a type D comp pick the next season. If the pitcher is a future Hall of Famer, go for it... If it doesn't pan out, you try again next season.

Posted by dedelman on 12/26/2018 2:32:00 PM (view original):
"Undecided" usually signs. BUT-- you have to know what to do if he outright rejects your offer (ie, if instead of accepting or demanding more, he says outright, "I'm not going to sign").

1) DO NOT delete the email with the rejection in it.
2) Use that email to get back to the negotiations page. It will be the only way you can re-open the negotiations with that prospect.
3) Repeat your initial offer.
4) If you repeat steps 1-3, eventually-- and for an "undecided" it will likely be on the second try-- he will ask for more money and then sign.

Keep, use, use again. Can't stress these points enough.

Do the "doubtful" draftees usually ask for way over slot right away and the "undecided" draftees increase after the initial offer? Or is it more random than that? I have the #1 pick on a team I just took over and don't have scouting where I want it so when the time comes, may decide to use the comp pick the following season if I don't like what I see. BUT also want to make sure I leave enough prospect payroll to offer for the comp pick and not use too much on an IFA.

is there any reason to not draft a DH with a decent glove rating and just playing him at 1B?

If he's a really good hitter, take him.

I'd take the pitcher. That is a slam dunk for me. A all star SS can get you to the playoffs. A HOF pitcher can WIN you the playoffs.

In my experience SS/3B guys never hit as well as you think they will. For me to pick a hitter over a pitcher that high they would have to OPS over 1.000. I don't think you will get that with a SS/3B guy.

Pitching. Pitching. Pitching.

Presume his control and splits are good ? If so him every day of the week.

I have a quick signability question: One of the top prospects in the upcoming draft has made the comment that he is "Looking for a guaranteed MLB contract. If not, he'll probably take the scholarship and play DI baseball."

In the event that I draft him and offer a guaranteed MLB contract, is it a slam dunk that he'll sign it? Or is there the possibility that he'll hang me out to dry and decide to play DI baseball anyway? Based on similar responses in the past, my guess would be that he would sign it but this is the first time I've ever seen that message so I'm not sure. Anyone else ever seen this?

Posted by bruinsfan911 on 1/12/2019 10:23:00 AM (view original):
I have a quick signability question: One of the top prospects in the upcoming draft has made the comment that he is "Looking for a guaranteed MLB contract. If not, he'll probably take the scholarship and play DI baseball."

In the event that I draft him and offer a guaranteed MLB contract, is it a slam dunk that he'll sign it? Or is there the possibility that he'll hang me out to dry and decide to play DI baseball anyway? Based on similar responses in the past, my guess would be that he would sign it but this is the first time I've ever seen that message so I'm not sure. Anyone else ever seen this?

Never seen this before, but if it's like the similar "round one" or "round five" responses, he'll possibly ask for more, but will sign.

Posted by dedelman on 1/12/2019 5:07:00 PM (view original):

Posted by bruinsfan911 on 1/12/2019 10:23:00 AM (view original):
I have a quick signability question: One of the top prospects in the upcoming draft has made the comment that he is "Looking for a guaranteed MLB contract. If not, he'll probably take the scholarship and play DI baseball."

In the event that I draft him and offer a guaranteed MLB contract, is it a slam dunk that he'll sign it? Or is there the possibility that he'll hang me out to dry and decide to play DI baseball anyway? Based on similar responses in the past, my guess would be that he would sign it but this is the first time I've ever seen that message so I'm not sure. Anyone else ever seen this?

Never seen this before, but if it's like the similar "round one" or "round five" responses, he'll possibly ask for more, but will sign.

That's kinda what I was guessing too, but was just curious if anyone had come across it before and could offer further insight...I'll provide a post-draft update too just for kicks.