"The 2nd Overall Pick Beginning to Emerge?"

[HeavyP]

Beltre's gone after this year, and I'm rooting for both Betancourt and Lopez to leave.

[Ex-hippie]

From my understanding the Mariners are pulling a Billy Beane move and getting a 'wink wink nudge nudge' money deal with Baron. Essentially saying, we'll take you a whole 2 rounds earlier if you'll sign for 3rd round money instead of 1st. Then, they can take a chance on a pitcher who wants more money and therefore will slip. I've heard the names of Matt Purke, Jacob Turner, or James Paxton.

That's an interesting possibility. Hey, what happened to Basketball Jesus? Here's where he would pitch in his view that paying players above slot is something only the Yankees and Red Sox can do. (I've been waiting for him in the trade thread to tell us how nobody wants any of the M's players, too.)

[Bulltalk]

From my understanding the Mariners are pulling a Billy Beane move and getting a 'wink wink nudge nudge' money deal with Baron. Essentially saying, we'll take you a whole 2 rounds earlier if you'll sign for 3rd round money instead of 1st. Then, they can take a chance on a pitcher who wants more money and therefore will slip. I've heard the names of Matt Purke, Jacob Turner, or James Paxton.

That's an interesting possibility. Hey, what happened to Basketball Jesus? Here's where he would pitch in his view that paying players above slot is something only the Yankees and Red Sox can do. (I've been waiting for him in the trade thread to tell us how nobody wants any of the M's players, too.)

I PMed the old salt about a week ago, and still haven't heard from him. I don't think he's posted since mid April, or something. I thought I remembered that he was getting married, though my thinking could be a little off on this. Maybe he's just moved on as a poster. Whether you agreed with BBJ or not on certain matters, he always brought a lot to such discussions.