How out of touch are MLB's slot recommendations with what draftees actually receive? We stacked up the top 50 bonuses paid in the 2010 draft against the top 50 slots, and the difference was striking. There were eight slots worth $2 million or more, compared to 17 bonuses of $2 million or higher. All told, the top 50 bonuses totaled $96 million—37 percent higher than the $70 million total of the top 50 slots.

As one agent says, "I tell our players that the only thing the slot number means is the amount you can sign for right after the draft. The longer you're willing to wait, the more money you can get."

How much money each team spent in the first 10 rounds of the 2010 draft, and how that compares to its estimated slot allowance from the commissioner's office:

Updated March 7 to reflect Mariners' signing of fourth-rounder James Paxton for $942,500. 

Here's how much each team has spent on draft bonuses in each of the last three years. The three highest-spending teams in 2010 (Nationals, Pirates, Blue Jays) all broke the record for spending on a single draft ($11,511,500 by the 2009 Nationals).

Sorted by 2010 spending (see below for sorting by 2008-10 spending):

Sorted by 2008-10 spending (see above for sorting by 2010 spending):

Updated March 7 to reflect Mariners' signing of fourth-rounder James Paxton for $942,500. 

Four unsigned choices from the 2010 draft will yield compensation choices in 2011:

FIRST ROUND

7. Diamondbacks (for Barret Loux)

10. Padres (for Karsten Whitson)

15. Brewers (for Dylan Covey)

THIRD ROUND

tba. Mariners (for Ryne Stanek)

Updated March 7 to reflect Mariners' signing of fourth-rounder James Paxton for $942,500. 

The 2010 draft keeps making news even after the signing deadline has passed, with the unprecedented step Tuesday of the Diamondbacks and unsigned first-rounder Barret Loux working with the commissioner's office to make Loux a free agent on Sept. 1.

The Diamondbacks selected Loux, a righthander out of Texas A&M, sixth overall in the draft in June, but they didn't sign Loux after he reportedly failed a physical. Now, they have issued a joint press release with Loux, indicating commissioner Bud Selig has declared Loux a free agent.

The statement reads:

“We have reached an agreement regarding Barret Loux’s status that is mutually beneficial to the parties. Today Commissioner Selig has announced that Loux will become a free agent on September 1. As such, he will be free to sign with any Major League Club at that time. In addition, the Arizona Diamondbacks will receive a Supplemental Selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. The agreement also provides an opportunity for the Commissioner’s Office and the Players Association globally to the address the issues that can arise from questions concerning a drafted player’s health. Given the private nature of the underlying disagreement here, neither party will be making any further public comments about this situation.”
 

Seventeen first-round picks had yet to come to terms when Draft Deadline Day began on Aug. 16. By the time it ended, 14 players had signed for a total of $48.5 million in bonuses and major league salaries. Three first-rounders failed to sign, the most since Charles Johnson, Calvin Murray and Scott Burrell declined to turn pro in 1989.

A quick rundown of what happened with the 17 first-rounder whose negotiations went down to the final day.

Bryce Harper, of, Nationals (No. 1 overall): The most hyped prospect in draft history signed a $9.9 million major league contract that includes a $6.25 million bonus. He broke Mark Teixeira's record for the largest guarantee ever given to a position player in the draft ($9.5 million from the Rangers in 2001), and Harper's contract and bonus are each tied for the third-largest ever.

Jameson Taillon, rhp, Pirates (No. 2): He signed for $6.5 million, the highest bonus ever given to a high schooler. Donavan Tate held the previous record ($6.25 million from the Padres in 2009). Taillon's bonus is eclipsed only by Stephen Strasburg's $7.5 million (from the Nationals in 2009) in draft history.

Manny Machado, ss, Orioles (No. 3): His $5.25 million bonus ranks as the sixth-highest ever for a high schooler.

Drew Pomeranz, rhp, Indians (No. 4): The first college pitcher selected, he signed for $2.65 million, $130,000 over MLB's estimated recommendation for his slot.

Barret Loux, rhp, Diamondbacks (No. 6): As expected, he didn't sign after failing a club physical in July. He reportedly had agreed to an under-slot $2 million bonus before the deal went awry. It's unclear whether he will try to seek relief from MLB considering his unusual situation, try to return to Texas A&M for his senior year or choose another path.

Matt Harvey, rhp, Mets (No.7): His $2.525 million bonus was $347,000 over slot and the largest paid by New York since it gave Mike Pelfrey a team-record $3.55 million (as part of a $5.25 million big league contract) in 2005.

Karsten Whitson, rhp, Padres (No. 9): San Diego made an offer in excess of MLB's slot recommendation ($1,962,000), but it wasn't enough to persuade Whitson to give up a scholarship from Florida. He's the first unsigned first-round pick in franchise history.

Deck McGuire, rhp, Blue Jays (No. 11): His $2 million bonus tied for the second-largest ever for a Toronto draftee, behing only Ricky Romero's $2.4 million in 2005. McGuire's bonus was $209,000 over slot.

Yasmani Grandal, c, Reds (No. 12): Grandal received one of three major league contracts in the 2010 draft. Exact details weren't immediately available, but the total guarantee is roughly $3 million. MLB values his draft slot at $1,719,000.

Dylan Covey, rhp, Brewers (No. 14): In the most shocking development of the day, Covey declined to sign and opted to attend San Diego after being diagnosed recently with Type 1 Diabetes. He's Milwaukee's first unsigned first-round pick since Kenny Henderson in 1991.

Josh Sale, of, Rays (No. 17): Tampa Bay failed to sign first-round pick LeVon Washington a year ago but locked up the top high school hitter in the draft for $1.62 million, a bonus $153,000 over slot.

Kaleb Cowart, 3b, Angels (No. 18): Believed to be one of the tougher signs in the first round, Cowart was the first holdout to agree to terms on Deadline Day. His $2.3 million bonus was $878,000 above MLB's recommendation.

Christian Yelich, 1b, Marlins (No. 23): He signed for $1.7 million, which was $440,000 above MLB's guidelines.

Gary Brown, of, Giants (No. 24): His $1.45 million bonus was $208,000 over slot.

Zack Cox, 3b, Cardinals (No. 25):  After sliding past the top 10 picks because of signability, Cox landed a major league deal worth roughly $3 million. Exact details of that contract weren't immediately available. MLB's recommendation for the No. 25 slot is $1,215,000.

Kyle Parker, of, Rockies (No. 26): Colorado offered Parker $2.25 million earlier in the summer to give up football, but he decided to return as Clemson's quarterback this fall. He did sign at the deadline for $1.4 million, and will join the Rockies after the football season. His bonus was $203,000 above slot.

Zach Lee, rhp, Dodgers (No. 28): When Los Angeles selected the supposedly unsignable Louisiana State quarterback recruit, there were some industry insiders that the Dodgers would punt the pick to avoid spending money. Instead, they signed him for $5.25 million, tying Machado for the sixth-highest ever among high schoolers, and blowing away MLB's slot recommendation of $1,134,000. The club will spread the bonus over five years under MLB provisions for two-sport athletes.

Rest easy Washington. Bryce Harper has signed with the Nationals. The Las Vegas phenom, whose achievements have become more like folklore than baseball scouting reports, has been tracked closely by the national media for more than a year. And as expected, Harper signed moments before the midnight deadline for a major league deal that guarantees him $9.9 million.

As he did right before the draft, Harper gave a few minutes to Baseball America to answer some questions.

BA: Are you glad it's all over?

Harper: I'm really thankful for everything I have right now. My family being around me, the support I've gotten from them. I'm thankful for the Nationals and what they've brought me. I'm just really excited to get out there playing and show everyone what I can do. I'm excited. [...] Continue Reading »

The countdown clock ticked down toward midnight, and the news was still trickling out, even with Twitter flashing constant updates.

Major League Baseball succeeded in one regard with its strategy to the 2010 draft signing period. It cut off information and pressured clubs and agents not to release any signing bonuses or rumors. In 2009, 57 players drafted in the first 10 rounds were unsigned on the deadline day. In 2010, that total climbed to 79.

But when all was said and done, MLB did not drive down prices, and the first round saw three unsigned picks, the first time that has happened since 1989 (excluding the 1996 draft, when four first-rounders were declared free agents). And plenty of money was still spent as every supplemental first-rounder and second-rounder and all but one third-rounder signed.

Here's a recap of the headlines:

1. Bryce Harper signs for largest contract given to position player. Harper apparently has received a major league contract for $10.9 million—with $9.9 million guaranteed and $1 million in roster bonuses—with a signing bonus of $6.25 million. The Nationals got last-minute deals done in each of the last two seasons with the No. 1 overall picks Harper and Stephen Strasburg.

2. The Dodgers signed Louisiana State football quarterback recruit Zack Lee with their first-round pick, getting him done for a $5.25 million bonus spread over five years per MLB's two-sport contract language. he gives up football to be a Dodger. Another quarterback, Clemson's Kyle Parker, signed a contract with the Rockies for $1.4 million that allows him to play football this fall for the Tigers.

3. Three first-round picks didn't sign—the most unsigned first-rounders since 1996, the year of draft loophole free agents, and first non-loophole —with two surprises. The Diamondbacks didn't sign No. 7 overall pick Barret Loux, which was no surprise after he failed a physical in July.  However, the Padres didn't work out a deal with No. 9 pick Karsten Whitson, a Florida prep righthander. And a late diagnosis of diabetes scuttled a proposed deal between the Brewers and No. 14 selection Dylan Covey, a prep righty who chose to go to San Diego for college instead of signing to ease his transition into treating his condition.

4. The Pirates spent big—very big—on their high school righthanders. First-rounder Jameson Taillon, the No. 2 overall pick, signed for a $6.5 million bonus, the biggest bonus any player received this year, while second-rounder Stetson Allie got $2.25 million. The Pirates' total draft expenditure was expected to approach $12 million.

5. The Tigers set a record by giving Miami prep infielder Nick Castellanos the largest bonus in supplemental first-round history, at $3.45 million. The Yankees gave fourth-round pick Mason Williams a $1.45 million bonus, but that was beaten earlier in the weekend for a fourth-round record when the Nationals gave Florida prep righty A.J. Cole a $2 million bonus.

Again, we will get more information through the night and continue to update, but here's the latest:

–The Red Sox signed supplemental first-round pick Anthony Ranaudo for $2.55 million. That's about triple the slot recommendation for where he was picked, 39th overall, but in line with the slot for the No. 5 overall pick. Before a disappointing season at Louisiana State, Ranaudo was considered a candidate for the first five picks.

–The Athletics signed third-rounder OF Aaron Shipman for $500,000.

–The Blue Jays signed first-rounder Deck McGuire for $2 million.

–Angels seventh-round LHP Josh Osich is going back to Oregon State.

The Nationals went down the wire again with the No. 1 overall pick. But once again, the Nationals got a deal done. Last year, it was Stephen Strasburg, and in 2010, it's Bryce Harper.

Though the signing bonus and major league contract numbers were not immediately confirmed by Baseball America, SI.com's John Heyman reports Harper received a $6.25 million signing bonus and $9.9 million in guaranteed money, which would be a record deal for a position player signing with the team that drafted him.

The old record was a guaranteed $9.5 million to Mark Teixeira in 2001 when he was drafted fifth overall by the Rangers.

We'll have more detail on these through the night and into tomorrow, but here's what we're hearing right now on players other than Bryce Harper:

–The Rockies signed first-round pick Kyle Parker for a $1.4 million bonus.

–The Blue Jays signed second-round pick Griffin Murphy for $800,000.

–The Cardinals signed first-round pick Zack Cox to a major league deal.

–The Orioles signed first-round pick Manny Machado

–The Padres did NOT sign first-round pick Karsten Whitson, who will attend Florida

–The Indians signed third-round pick Tony Wolters for $1.35 million.

–The Mariners did NOT sign third-round pick Ryne Stanek.

–The Indians signed second-round pick LeVon Washington for $1.2 million.

–The Rays signed first-round pick Josh Sale for $1.62 million and supplemental first-rounder Drew Vettleson for $845,000

The Tigers, never afraid to shell out big money to bring in premium draft talent, signed supplemental first-rounder Nick Castellanos for $3.45 million, a record for a pick outside the first round. Castellanos, a Florida high school shortstop, is expected to be a pro third baseman.

Baseball America's Jim Callis has confirmed that the Dodgers signed first-round pick Zack Lee just before the signing deadline. Lee's status as a premium high school righthander and one of the best quarterback recruits in the nation–he had already started football practice at Louisiana State–as well as a top student made him one of the most difficult signing decisions in this draft, and many observers doubted the Dodgers' ability to sign him.

Baseball America has not been able to confirm Lee's bonus yet, but it is believed to be more than $3 million.
UPDATE: Lee signed for a $5.25 million bonus, which can be spread out over five years because he's a two-sport athlete.

Baseball America also confirmed that the Marlins signed their first-rounder, California high school outfielder Christian Yelich, for $1.7 million. He was set to go to Miami if he didn't sign.

We'll continue to update signings throughout the night.

Florida prep outfielder Mason Williams has signed with the Yankees for $1.45 million, the largest bonus the Yankees have given to a 2010 draft pick.

Williams is a lithe, athletic center fielder who also played some shortstop and pitched. A South Carolina signee, he had surprising pop in his bat and plus speed that elicited Doug Glanville comparisons.

The Astros signed Virginia Tech outfielder Austin Wates, their third-round pick, for $550,000.

The Tigers have signed second-round pick Drew Smyly for $1.1 million. The Arkansas lefthander has excellent feel for pitching, helping him anchor the Razorbacks' weekend rotation as a redshirt sophomore this spring.

Smyly was the Razorbacks' ace in 2010, going 9-1, 2.80 with 114 strikeouts in 103 innings pitched. His signing leaves the Tigers with supplemental first-rounder Nick Castellanos, their top selection, as their key unsigned draft pick, along with fourth-rounder Cole Green, a righthander out of Texas.

When first-round pick Dylan Covey and the Brewers announced before the deadline that he would not be signing, it seemed peculiar. With more than an hour remaining to negotiate before the deadline there still seemed to be time to bridge any disagreements over the size of the signing bonus.

But the decision not to sign ended up not being about money. Covey has been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, which led him to decide to head to San Diego instead of signing with the Brewers. The diagnosis was first reported by the Baseball Beginnings Website.

Covey's condition was discovered when he underwent a physical last week in preparation for the possibility of signing with the Brewers. Milwaukee was willing to still sign him, but according to Baseball America correspondent/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel beat writer Tom Haudricourt, Covey and his family decided it would be better to stay close to home and learn how to deal with diabetes while attending college. Haudricourt also reported that the family's decision was made much tougher by MLB's draft rules, which compressed this decision into one day. [...] Continue Reading »