The Devil Rays and first-round pick Jeff Niemann have agreed to terms on a five-year major league contract that guarantees the former Rice righthander $5.2 million, including a signing bonus of $3.2 million.
Niemann, the fourth overall pick, had been one of three remaining unsigned first-rounders still negotiating with the clubs that drafted them. His former Rice teammate, Philip Humber, signed Jan. 11 with the Mets, who drafted him one slot ahead of Niemann. The two remaining unsigned first-rounders are Long Beach State righthander Jered Weaver, who went 12th overall to the Angels, and Florida State shortstop Stephen Drew, who went 15th to the Diamondbacks.
Since I haven't heard that Stephen Drew is back in class (and this article suggests he's not) then I'd think this might nudge things closer towards signing him. Niemann got $1 Million more than Humber, but still, some difference between #3 or #4 and #15. I know Boras will make the argument he WAS a #3 or 4, just didn't get picked there.
Our recent discussion of options made me realize that if he's given a 40-man roster spot as part of the deal, as they've demanded, then we have 3 years to get him permanently to the big club, right? In his case, he'd start right out on option #1, wouldn't he?
I still really don't like throwing that much dough at prospects, when it's been shown the vast majority of big-bonus guys do not pay off, and especially a kid who'd obviously much rather think about money than baseball.
