Written by Greg Fertel
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14 August 2008
Tyler Kepner from the New York Times is
reporting that fireballing RHP Gerrit Cole, the Yankees 1st-round pick in the 2008 draft, will not be turning pro despite a very substantial bonus offer from the Yankees. Barring a last-minute change of heart (or the possibility that this is just pre-deadline posturing), Cole will have turned down a bonus offer as high as 5-6 million. He was reportedly demanding an 8-9 million dollar major league contract before deciding that he did not want so sign.
I remain hopeful that this is just a negotiating ploy by Scott Boras, and Cole will end up in pinstripes on August 16. However, given the way things have been going for the Yankees this season, it would not surprise me to see them lose their top draft pick. While the Yankees will get a compensatory pick in next year's draft (#28A,), it is highly unlikely that a talent of Cole's caliber will be available then. I wonder if this non-signing hurts Scott Boras's relationship with the Yankees, as the Yankees must have drafted Cole with an idea of what it would take to sign him. Either that number changed, or else Cole geniunely wants to go to UCLA. Keep in mind we saw this drama last year with Mike Moustakas and the Royals, and he ended up signing with them at the 11th hour.
If he does want to go to college, more power to him. But he shouldn't have screwed over his favorite team by letting them take him in the first round and then deciding not to sign. I find it very unlikely that he will get significantly more money 3 years from now, when he is next eligible for the draft, and he will be assuming a risk of an injury costing him his future bonus. I wonder how this affects the Bleich negotiations, and if the Yankees will be able to put this money to inking some other tough signs.
I wonder if the Yankees would have anted up for Michel Inoa if they knew that Cole was not going to sign, and who they would have drafted instead. Casey Kelly? Shooter Hunt? I'm pretty pissed about Cole not signing, but at least right-handed pitching is not exactly an organizational weakness. This increases the burden on Brett Marshall to prove himself to be a legitimate pitching prospect.
