As initially reported by John Heyman of si.com, Major League Baseball has sent clubs and agents a memo that could push back the deadline by which draft picks must be signed. Instead of having to have everyone signed by 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, the deadline now is 11:59 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17.

The initial e-mail tells the parties involved: "Please be advised that since August 15th falls on a Saturday this year, we have agreed to the Office of the Commissioner’s request to push back the signing deadline to Monday, August 17th.  We will be sending out a Memorandum shortly which will describe the procedures required for reporting both Major League and minor league terms in advance of this Monday evening deadline."

At first blush, all it seems to mean is a weekend full of worry for general managers, agents, players and scouts, instead of getting it all over with on Saturday night. Rest assured, with the commissioner’s office trying to drive down bonuses and the state of the economy, lots and lots of deals are going to go right up to the deadline.

Now that just means they’ll go until Monday, instead of Saturday.