AND Manny Machado as his JuCo partner!? (not to be confused with Junco Partner by all you longhairs out there)
The Nationals and Orioles took Bryce Harper and Manny Machado first and third overall in the 2010 draft, but now the two young prospects are causing Nats and O’s fans’ hearts to skip a beat.
Early Friday morning, Harper declared on his Facebook page that he’s, “Probably going back to [the College of Southern Nevada] to win a National Championship!” and Machado quickly joined in by saying he’d like to join Harper there. The deadline for both players to sign with the clubs that drafted them is Aug. 16.
Of course, it’s worth pointing out that both players are advised by Scott Boras, who’s notorious for not even beginning negotiations with clubs until hours before that deadline.
If Boras sticks with his usual tactics, it would be hard for negotiations to have broken down to this point already because there’s a chance they haven’t even really begun yet. In fact, just last weekend Orioles’ president Andy MacPhail told season ticket holders that he was “very confident” Machado would sign.
If either player does fail to sign, the Nationals or Orioles would receive a compensation pick in the 2011 draft in a similar slot to where they picked in 2010. That would mean the Nationals would get pick “1B,” second overall, while the Orioles would pick again at “3B,” right after the team with the third worst record in baseball this year. The 2011 draft is expected to be much deeper than the 2010 edition, so both clubs could come through OK if something like that does happen.
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O's yes, but probably not the Nats if you believe a fraction of the hype about Harper. Anyway, this all sounds like typical negotiating ploy ########.
Maybe the Nats will get Machado.
Naw. He knows what it is and disapproves vigorously.
It'll be interesting to see what comes of this, although I'd still bet on Harper signing at least as he went through so many hoops to get into the draft early it would be odd not to sign.
Don't scouts project him to have 40 HR power? Even as an outfielder, isn't that 1st pick quality?
I, uh, don't think that's actually his Facebook page.
Yes.
He might be a good kid, but so far my impression of him is...ick. I will continue to try to withhold judgement.
Why? That's no fun.
A small anecdote. My cousin's son is a sophomore SS at a decent program in upstate NY (and my 5 year old's newest and bestest sports hero). A few weeks back, we happened to be up there and he happened to have a summer league game. We dropped in for a few innings, all college players, some obviously very good players. Bright sunny day. Not a one had that stupid ass Alice Cooper ######## all over their face.
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