John Manuel: Hey everyone, thanks for stopping by. I'll try to get to as many questions as possible, and Jim's going to do his best to pull a pop-in.

John Manuel: Let's hope it's not a trend. I like McGeary as a prospect, because he's lefthanded, athletic and somewhat polished, plus he's a Northeastern kid, I like the Northeastern pitcher angle that Dana Brown likes to play. That said, I hope it's a one-time thing because for that kind of bonus, I don't think it's too much to ask a person to work for you full-time. I have a feeling (just a hunch, not inside knowledge) that the Nationals expect him to become full-time by, say, 2009.

John Manuel: Part of the deal is they will give him a chance to play SS. They really don't have anything to lose by letting him try. I was on the conference call Wednesday night (actually Thursday morning) and don't see in those notes where he'll start, but this is a polished hitter with usable power now thanks to his strength. He's strong enough to repeat his swing with a wood bat; you can't say that about most HS hitters.

John Manuel: Daniel, if financial considerations are at the top of a player's wish list, I don't see why that player wouldn't wait until the deadline. The longer the player waited, the greater the likelihood he would receive a bonus that was above the commissioner's office slot recommendation. Period. There are a number of ways to tweak the draft rules if MLB wants to avoid that next year, too many to list here. My mind changes on this subject every time I think about it, frankly, but for one, I'd like to see an earlier deadline (Aug. 1 at least). Two, the more formal the slots are (and if they are ever formalized in the CBA this is especially true), there needs to be some trading of draft picks allowed, to give the teams a chance to get some value to a pick if they don't want to pay top dollar.

John Manuel: I'm surprised the Mets have been so compliant. They also keep drafting relievers. It's an odd, surprising trend, no doubt. Just because the Yankees and Red Sox and Tigers spent doesn't mean the Mets should spend, but for me, teams should spend what THEY want to spend. Who should decide the value of a player—your scouts and talent evaluators, or the commissioner's office? If I owned a club, I would want the people I pay to make those determinations, not the commissioner's office.

John Manuel: I agree with the Orioles' decision, because that's what it was going to take to sign Wieters, and they needed to get that done. The fact he's getting more up-front than Upton is kind of immaterial—that was 2 years ago for one, Upton was a two-sport guy so they could spread the money out, it's apples and oranges. In one way, Wieters could be said to have more value because he switch-hits and plays a premium position. That said, I don't think he'll be the offensive player Upton has proven to be and was thought to be. Also, Wieters didn't get a MLB contract; in a small way, that's a win for the Orioles, I guess. They clearly were opposed to that or else they would have taken advantage of the MLB contract and spread Wieters' money out over a longer period of time.

John Manuel: At his best, true. It's a mid-to-upper 90s fastball with a knockout breaking ball and above-average athleticism. It's a very enticing package. When Brackman was a freshman, he was lights-out and was the best pitcher at the ACC Tournament, dominating Miami in front of dozens of scouts that were in to get a final look at 'Canes starter Cesar Carillo, and I had two scouts tell me later that Brackman was the best amateur pitcher in the country at that time (May 2005). So his ceiling is very high. That said, Tommy John has a good track record but it's not automatic. He's going to have to do the hard rehab work. Brackman also has had a hip problem in the past. I'm surprised he got that kind of money considering he's not going to pitch competitively until 2009. The Yankees paid for potential, though, and he has potential like few other pitchers.

John Manuel: The Angels were prepared to go over slot though. If they offered the mid-first-round money like they say they did, that would be significantly over slot. I really can't imagine MLB withholding an All-Star Game because of an extra $1 million thrown a player's way. The Angels just apparently didn't feel they needed to spend that much on Matt Harvey.

John Manuel: I like what the Tigers did, and I like the Nationals' draft a lot. They weren't active on deadline day, and their players haven't gotten off to boffo starts, but I still like how diverse the Blue Jays' draft was. I think Texas did pretty well and would probably throw the Yankees in because they spent so much money, some of those guys have to hit, though frankly their draft doesn't blow me away.

John Manuel: I was impressed as well by what the Rangers did in terms of who they picked and who they signed. Borbon's a good fit, and frankly I'd discount his 2007 numbers at Tennessee, his ankle injury throws everything off. Beavan and Mike Main is a great 1-2 punch of prep RHPs. Moreland's a good guy to take a chance on because he has lefthanded power, and they didn't break the bank for him, but I wouldn't get too excited. He was a good college player but not a great one. I can't tell you the last Mississippi State hitter who broke out in the big leagues.

John Manuel: Scouts make physical comps; sometimes readers mistake these for performance comparisons. Dominguez probably is more of a physical comp as an HS player than a performance comp, because Chavez as an amateur was considered a mediocre defender if not a poor one, one who'd have to move off 3B. The A's and CHavez deserve credit for him being the basis of a Dominguez comp, because Dominguez plays excellent defense. All that said, Chavez probably is a pretty good performance comp, but of course Chavez was supposed to develop into a better hitter than he has.

John Manuel: Porcello was the top prep pitcher available; with all the talent graduating to the big leagues this year, I'd suspect he's a top 10 (at least top 20) prospect.

John Manuel: I'm a Moose guy, and not just because we're both Greek-Americans.

John Manuel: How? Very easily—he asked, and the club gave him one. It's just a conceit to spread the money out for the club, and it's a way for the agent to get something valuable for his client without going too high above the signing slot. It's really not that big of a deal, for me.

John Manuel: It's going to be closer to 1 than to 30 in the next Handbook, I think. That system has had a great year, bringing in talent and having good prospects having good years, such as Marrero, Balester, etc. I was surprised not that they got McGeary but how.

John Manuel: For me, his best comp is Pat Burrell—amateur 3B, probable LF in pro ball, possible 1B.

John Manuel: Detroit's overall draft was a very nice haul, better than in recent years in terms of depth. I like the Iorg signing in terms of getting him done—he's better than older brother Eli, more athletic, capable of playing SS and hitting for some power. He's a very high-ceiling talent. How about Tennessee's 2004 prep class, I'll say this for the millionth time, but they had David Price, Cale Iorg, Matt Spencer (Phils, 3rd round this year), Kyle Waldrop (Twins first round in '04), plus Zack Cozart plus James Adkins. Ridiculous year of talent in Tennessee.

John Manuel: Forgot to answer on the last Vitters question, his draft place was all about polish and power as a hitter; he's not well-rounded enough otherwise to go so high. So he could be banging on the door to MLB in 2010, after 2 full minor league seasons.

John Manuel: I don't expect to see many there; Andrew Friedman said the Rays will not send Price to the AFL because he's going to fall classes at Vanderbilt. Wieters would seem more likely, and I could see some of those types of guys going to the Hawaiian league instead, since it is a bit lower level of competition. As we hear any of that news we'll pass it on, but I doubt there will be more than 2-5 '07 draftees in the AFL.

John Manuel: I think they frankly did very badly. It's a bad system that did not help itself in the draft virtually at all. It does sound like, in their defense, one or more of those players changed up on the Astros and asked for more than slot money after agreeing earlier to sign for slot. That puts the Astros in a tough spot. To me, though, clubs have to recognize that this is about investments, and with such a low investment up front ($500k on this draft), the Astros will be lucky to have much in terms of future returns.

John Manuel: He did not sign; he's not in the MLB database to our understanding. The Rockies have found talent without going over slot—Brad Hawpe is an 11th-round alumnus. Garrett Atkins was a 5th-round pick. It makes it harder if you always toe the line, but it can be done with good scouting. Also, the Rockies have been pretty good internationally—Ubaldo Jiminez, Manny Corpas, and in the pipeline they've got Franklin Morales and Hector Gomez, among others. Also, 2 years ago they took Troy Tulowitzki—is he not premium enough for you?

John Manuel: Matthews DID sign; he's in the database at least. I've been in touch with the Rutgers baseball office and they also are confused. This one might take a while to sort out, but to our knowledge, he has signed and is not going to Rutgers.

John Manuel: Actually, Boras called Moustakas the best high school power hitter since A-Rod. That claim can be made considering Moustakas set the Calif. single-season and career home run records. But for me, I'd give that distinction to either Prince Fielder or Delmon Young. Moustakas clearly belongs in the discussion, however.

John Manuel: Sounds like St. Clair was very motivated to go back to school and had a very, very high price tag considering the injury-plagued junior season he had. The Astros were thinking about their bottom line rather than their minor league system, unfortunately for them.

John Manuel: trying to do a lightning round . . .

John Manuel: I think the Padres were thorough, but their value on Toledo was different from the player's value. Colon wanted third- to fourth-round money. It sounds like Colon really wanted to sign but didn't get the offer he wanted. The Padres had a solid draft anyway, I think, even though they held the line. This is another system on the way up, perhaps just as significantly as the Nationals and also without spending as much money.

John Manuel: Will, any relation to Sky Smeltzer over at Yavapai? Say hey for me . . . Wieters is tough, 6-foot-5 switch-hitting C's don't grow on trees. It's almost like he's Jason Varitek with a bit more offensive talent perhaps but lesser makeup. That's no knock on Wieters' makeup, but he's not the vocal, strong leadership guy that Varitek is.

John Manuel: They kind of have to with that MLB contract, Ace.

John Manuel: Another one for Ace . . . The Royals are 2-for-2 with getting Boras clients signed, not sure why they'd change, though right now, Hochevar is not working out tremendously well.

John Manuel: Good point Joe, though the deadline has passed . . . no, Harvey will not be the guy because there's Alex White, who's a returning starter, and also Adam Warren is in that mix after pitching well in Omaha and going 12-0, 2.17 for the year.

John Manuel: Sounds like he put out a big number early, and the Sox protected themselves by drafting similar players (power-hitting 1Bs) later.

John Manuel: I think he'll be in Tampa next year. Holding out hope he pitches for Durham in the International League playoffs (if not him, how 'bout Jacob McGee or Wade Davis? Make it happen Andrew!).

John Manuel: I'll take Moustakas by a hair; Luke's season is a bit better than a though in K-BB ratio. Moustakas could move quite quickly, still wouldn't expect him before 2010.

John Manuel: I like 'em, always likened them to Mark Mulder, and Mulder was durable for six years. He could surpass Carrasco, I'm quite the Savery fan, Jim and I disagree on the Phillies' draft, I like it better than he does.

John Manuel: Seemed like they were waiting for Moustakas to announce; hard to come down on the Cubs for going over slot if Moustakas got $4 million, but at the same time, the Cubs wouldn't have given Vitters $3.2 million had Moustakas signed for the $3.15 million slot that was assigned for No. 2.

John Manuel: The Giants helped themselves, and I'm a Tim Alderson fan as well as a Madison Bumgarner fan. The Giants haven't had success developing players like Wendell Fairly in the past, so you'll forgive me if I have my doubts about him. Nick Noonan was also a nice get, but otherwise, it's more of a solid effort rather than future all-stars.

John Manuel: One more for jaypers . . . love it in a way, consistent with Jim Leyland, who favors talent over experience. Gotta love that about Jim Leyland. On the other hand, I was hoping Matt Joyce, my favorite Detroit sleeper prospect, would get the call, but Maybin is the more talented guy. It wouldn't shock me in the least if he matched Justin Upton's start.

John Manuel: Don't forget the Padres got Matt Latos. Tommy Toledo shouldn't be considered such a damaging loss to the Padres; I think Padres fans are over-reacting. I'd rather have Latos than Toledo. Reaction to Toledo was quite mixed, he's 160 pounds, small-bodied, some teams didn't think he offered much projection. So I'm wondering, what gives with all the gnashing of teeth on Tommy Toledo?

John Manuel: Sounds like Aaron Hill is a fair comparison, solid all around, maybe a better chance to play shortstop than Hill as a big leaguer.

John Manuel: I like Arrieta as a middle-of-the-rotation starter but he had a pretty mediocre season. He's big, physical, could be an innings-eater, but he was pretty much 88-90 or 88-91 all year, not the velo he showed last summer with Team USA.

John Manuel: It's hard to imagine Russell matching the season he had, but clearly he has holes in his swing with wood—showed that in the Area Codes three years ago, showed that in the Cape, showed that this summer in the California Collegiate League. I think he will be hard-pressed to change scouts' minds by playing with metal again at Texas. I'm a fan of Heyward, his athleticism is hard to find.

John Manuel: Sounds like Fields really believes he can be Casey Weathers and go in the first round even as a senior next year. It's certainly possible. He wanted more than slot and the Braves didn't agree.

John Manuel: You're welcome. The Red Sox do get compensation, pick 84A next year.

John Manuel: Our call(s) haven't been returned yet, but Bill, the whole system's kind of broken, kind of FUBAR. This year was all about the law of unintended consequences. Teams don't go over slot unless they really, really like the player. Without MLB interfering, the teams pretty much police themselves, without MLB's help.

John Manuel: Ask John Clayton, not John Manuel.

John Manuel: Not really, he sort of came out of nowhere this year, teams were skeptical about his swing, and he had a mediocre summer. His teammate, Pedro Alvarez, is the favorite to go 1-1 next year as he significantly outperformed Justin Smoak with Team USA this summer, Smoak didn't hit a homer after the summer's first seven games and slumped to .223.

John Manuel: Not really, Buster hit .281 in the Cape, well above the league average, and was an all-star who defended fine. Buster Posey is a potential first three rounds guy next year. Always been a Buster fan.

John Manuel: Curious decision, not a huge Pelzer fan, heard he was throwing well in the Cape but the knee injury obviously set him back. Just a reliever for me.

John Manuel: Matthews was in the MLB database as having signed; that's why we reported him as having signed. Now Jim Callis is telling me that he has not signed. My information from Rutgers is that there was a verbal commitment, and Matthews subsequently changed his mind. Clearly, this story is still developing, but that's the information that I have.

John Manuel: I think they did, I like their draft, good college player draft, big Grant Desme and Josh Horton fan, and Sam Demel later was a good get. I'm a Sean Doolittle fan as well, so for what they did (lower ceiling, college-oriented), the A's did well.

John Manuel: Wow, really Andy? Carpenter has a 5+ college ERA in about 90 innings. I like him, but he's far from a proven commodity and has had elbow trouble (TJ) in the past. He has leverage and could be a first-rounder as a redshirt junior next year. And Peavey, well, the Yankees offered him a significant six-figure deal and he still turned it down, and many scouts I know consider him a reliever. Venditte is a special case, but not signing him is far from inexcusable.

John Manuel: I think they will be, he's in the top 10 Calif. Collegiate League prospects (coming next week), and he's got a chance, hard-throwing, projectable RHP. Now he's off to Loyola Marymount.

John Manuel: I like a lot of the Phillies' picks from the West Coast—Michael Taylor has upside out of Stanford (though his poor start is discouraging); Justin DeFratus has a big arm; Julian Sampson has projection and athletic ability. Nice draft.

John Manuel: His track record's shorter than other pitchers' track records. He was primarily a football linebacker prior to this spring, and his velo jumped. Just not as long a history on him, harder to pay top dollar when you haven't seen him in a national showcase against other top competition.

John Manuel: My prodigious gut says "I'm hungry," then also chimes in, "no."

John Manuel: He's athletic enough to be an OF, and if they think that, they'll play him there, TJ. There are three spots after all, plenty of room. Miller's year deserves mention, he showed very few signs of life in A-ball but has had a nice year in Double-A and has really filled out his lithe, athletic frame. He's got a chance.

John Manuel: Blair contends that he wanted $1.35 million and it sounds like he did turn down $1.1 million. How do they not sign him? They put a value on the player and the player thinks he's worth more. You guys make it sound so simple . . .

John Manuel: I finally have come around to the idea of trading picks; used to be opposed but with slotting I have come around. I still think the real solution to all this is teams deciding they want to build through the draft and committing resources to the draft. Then draft who you want, pay what you want and forget all this other mess. Let your GM and scouts decide how much to pay players, not Bud Selig (wow, it DOES sound simple).

Jim Callis: On Jaren Matthews: He agreed to terms, deal got submitted (you don't sign the physical contract until drug test, etc), hbe got home and changed his mind.

John Manuel: (Yes, it was that simple apparently.) So Rutgers fans celebrate, Red Sox fans, you can start gnashing teeth . . . now.

John Manuel: It's solid, nothing extravagant, good college players, big Josh Donaldson fan and have really come around on Darwin Barney, just a winning player.

John Manuel: I think you have a point there. The fact 25 teams played along and five didn't (BLT on Wieters, NYY, DET, BOS and WAS), that would bother me if I were one of the 25 teams.

John Manuel: Seniors are still eligible to sign, not affected by the deadline, not a free agent, still controlled by the Blue Jays.