This is true. We’re not blogging deals until we confirm the deals, but Malm has agreed to terms with the Rays.

What, if anything, does this mean for Wil Myers?

Are the orioles pursuing Taylor Rogers from Colorado?

Have you heard anything about Chad James and
Florida?? Thought it would be an easy signing.

Hi Jim, I know the Astros inked alot of their guys early, but have you heard about any more signings by them? I know Draytons usually Buds lapdog, but Im hoping hell go over slot for a few. Thanks.

Re Rogers: I think the Orioles have one more big signing in them, and it looks like Michael Ohlman (11th round) might be the favorite.

Re Coffey: He signed today. Check out this link. I’ll have more on him later, too.

Re Dave’s question about over-slot signings: This is nothing new. Some teams have been manipulating the system like this for years, and kudos to the Royals for trying to get out of their rut. After years of being ignored, the draft should be near the forefront of the next collective bargaining negotiations.

Re Gould: Just that he’s looking for well above the $562,500 slot at No. 65. Frank McCourt hasn’t exactly been Mr. Spend Heavily On The Draft, so we’ll see.

Talking about Dwyer’s single Cape start? He was so good that the Royals told him to shut it down and they’d pay him in August.

[...] Callis of Baseball America was reporting today that the Royals signed 4th round pick LHP-Chris Dwyer.  Sam Mellinger, on the other hand, [...]

Malm!!!! Now we need Diekroger and three out of four in the way of Glaesman, Bailey, Washington, and Maddox.

Is there any chance that Strasburg has already agreed to terms with Washington, but the bonus amount was so large that MLB won’t announce it until right before the deadline? It would be a tough secret to keep but it seems MLB is being very secretive when it comes to bonus amounts this year. Just a thought. If Aroldis Chapman is going to fetch $50M then Strasburg is worth it. Chapman may be able to throw 100mph, but if you can’t spot it or throw it for strikes then it doesn’t mean anything. Nick Neugeberger could throw 101mph, where is he at today? Strasburg is a much more proven commodity, any opinions?

Re Strasburg: No chance. I think he’ll sign, but unless the Nationals have agreed to $50 million, that’s not a done deal.

Those who even think about limiting signings to slot money are incredibly short sighted. No elite high school prospect with good academics should even think about signing for slot unless in the first round. A good college degree is worth about 4 million. Few high school signees find it practical to complete school under MLB’s scholarship program. A college athletic scholarship comes with support and tutoring that the MLB scholarship does not. It should take a premium above slot to persuade a high school kid to forgo higher education, and if you limit signings to slot, baseball will lose several years of elite players’ careers..

Re Phil on slotting: You are correct, sir. Teams obviously don’t mind paying a lot more than what MLB considers market value to get talent.