Back on draft day, it was announced that Justin Upton was the #1 draft pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona is interested in signing Justin Upton and is going to give him a $4.5 million signing bonus. Mr. Upton and his agent are not happy at this and has asked for $1 million more. Justin Upton is saying that if he doesnt get that extra million, he is going to Lewisburg Junior College here in North Carolina. Justin Upton is a high school senior fussing about one million extra dollars when he is already going to get $4.5 million.
What i would love to know is what happened to playing for the love of baseball? Shouldn't the dream for high school seniors be just making it to the majors?? I know that people stopped playing for just the love of it a long time ago but when I was 18 years old, I would've signed at the drop of a dime...especially for $4.5 million.
Do you W's think he is making a good decision by threatening to go to a junior college instead of signing on as the #1 draft pick? Discuss.....
Originally posted by AZCentral.comThe Diamondbacks signed Drew to a $5.5 million major league contract that included a $4 million signing bonus. They are believed to have offered Upton a minor league proposal that includes a $4.675 million bonus, guaranteed up front.
Upton, however, has been seeking a deal worth $6.25 million and he and his adviser, Larry Reynolds, don't seem ready to budge.
Gee, take a position where you'll be heralded as the next big thing or go to play baseball at a junior college and earn the reputation as demanding too much too soon?
See, that's why I couldn't work in a front office for a professional sports team like the Diamondbacks. If an 18-year-old kid turned down almost $4.7 million just to sign and demanded instead $6.25 million, I'd find his demands a little ridiculous. When he responds with "give it to me or I'm going to junior college," my first reaction would probably be to laugh in his face and say something along the lines of "good luck dealing with financial aid."
Baseball isn't a sport like football where you're guaranteed a spot on the roster if you're the #1 draft pick. .519 is a tremendous average on any level, but try hitting that against pitchers that are old enough to buy lottery tickets and have stood in front of thousands of cheering or jeering fans with Albert Pujols sixty feet in front of them.
More importantly, blame should be put on his agent/advisor for not putting this kid on the right track. It can be excused if it's just a young kid who doesn't have the maturity to deal with such a situation. To just encourage it is absolutely uncalled for. Shame on Larry Reynolds for allowing a situation that could result in this kid losing a valuable year of playing time that really could have developed him into a tremendous player.
(edited by Deputy Marshall on 17.8.05 2353)
Cuz if you got friends, and if they don't dance, well they're no friends of mine!
Actually, junior college would be his best option if he doesn't want to sign.
NCAA-level college players may only be drafted after their junior and senior seasons, JC players can be drafted after their freshman OR sophomore seasons, OR transfer to an NCAA school and have two more chances to be drafted.
As of 2/28/05: 101 pounds since December 7, 2004 OFFICIAL THREE-MONTH COUNT: 112 pounds on March 9, 2005 OFFICIAL SIX-MONTH COUNT: 142 pounds on June 8, 2005 As of 8/15/05: 153 pounds "I've lost a junior middleweight"
Eddie, that may be true, but wouldnt it be wiser for him now rather than later?? I mean sure, he could go to the junior college and get better, but what happens if he gets there and faces some good pitchers and all of a sudden, people don't see him as a #1 pick??
The parents of Justin Upton were on the news last night because my stations are based out of Norfolk, VA area and they are from here, and they said that they had to go through the same thing with his brother B.J. Upton and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays although I don't know if it was the same situation or not.....
It is very possibly true that now would be better for him, but if he decides not to sign, JC is the way to go.
As of 2/28/05: 101 pounds since December 7, 2004 OFFICIAL THREE-MONTH COUNT: 112 pounds on March 9, 2005 OFFICIAL SIX-MONTH COUNT: 142 pounds on June 8, 2005 As of 8/15/05: 153 pounds "I've lost a junior middleweight"
No question I'd go for the money right now, rather than risk getting injured in junior college and spending the next thirty years, oh, I don't know, teaching typewriter maintenance or something.
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Originally posted by ekedolphinNo question I'd go for the money right now, rather than risk getting injured in junior college and spending the next thirty years, oh, I don't know, teaching typewriter maintenance or something.
Surely he'll have a lucrative insurance policy in place in cse a career-ending injury happens, a la Matt Leinart.
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Thank you Baby Jesus, Bill Bavasi is no more in Seattle. One of the most expensive and crappiest built teams in baseball can now move on from a long list of terrible signings and trades.
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