Z and His Agent Finally Get Story Straight Plus Draft Signing Updates
If you were following the Z drama through the papers or through our comments, you would have noticed the healthy amount of spin his agent Barry Praver was putting on the situation, because there is nothing worse for an agent than losing out on the 10% commission of the $24M or so he's still owed. It went something along the lines of, he said nothing about retiring, wait, yes he did, but it was not meant for public consumption. He came back Friday and returned his stuff, no I meant Saturday...he never punched Michael Barrett, Michael Barrett fell on his fist, etc, etc...
Kapman today scored the first interview with Z and it appears they finally found the narrative they plan to go forward with. Essentially, yes Z did make comments about retiring, but they were all intended to be private (counterpoint: Cubs claim to have text messages saying "good-bye and thanks" from Z). He also tried to return to the team Saturday with his belongings, but was not allowed and naturally, does not agree with the Cubs punishment. They intend to file a grievance by the end of the day.
Anyway, the idea of Z gifting the Cubs $18M next year seems out the window, but give credit to the Cubs for seizing the opportunity to save $3M or so this year by putting him on the disqualified list. Him leaving early means nothing to me, but obviously it rubbed many of his teammates the wrong way and in the end he gets a longer vacation and Cubs fans get Casey Coleman.
And now for the rest of the story...
Big Z: "I received text messages of support from Sosa, Byrd, Ozzie, Jason Giambi, Pena, and Soriano." Also said he and Soriano are cool.
Surprised Derrek Bell didn't think to drop him a note...
Today is the deadline for the Cubs to sign their 2011 draftees. I was keeping track of all the signings and bonuses over at Wiklifield and now suddenly it won't let me edit pages anymore, only sections of pages and the bonus info isn't part of a section. Meh. Here's what I have cobbled together so far...many thanks to you guys for getting the scoops in the comments (especially QuietMan).
Round | Player | Bonus | Comment |
1 | Javier Baez | $2.625M | and no major league deal |
2 | Dan Vogelbach | $1.6M | Callis just confirmed deal is done |
3 | Zeke DeVoss | $500K | Playing for Boise, .442 OBP, 11/14 on SB's |
4 | Tony Zych | $400K | reliever with a bit of a wacky motion |
5 | Tayler Scott | $279,950 | S. African native, also excellent soccer player |
6 | Neftali Rosario | $150K | Crushing the ball in the Arizona Rookie League |
7 | Trevor Gretzky | $375K | drafting and signing for that much a bit of a head scratcher, headed for shoulder rehab in Arizona |
8 | Taylor Dugas | Unsigned | appears he's going to U. of Alabama |
9 | Garret Schlecht | $235K | recently made his debut with the AZL Cubs |
10 | Daniel Lockhart | $395K | This was done awhile ago apparently, just waiting to be official. |
11 | Shawon Dunston Jr. | $1.275M | seems excessive.... |
12 | Jacob Lindgren | Unsigned | Appears he's going to Mississippi State |
13 | Trey Martin | $250K | not doing much for the AZL Cubs so far, was to go to Kennesaw State with Daniel Lockhart. |
14 | Dillon Maples | $2.5M | just a tad less than first round pick Baez |
15 | Justin Marra | $100K | or so this website says |
16 | Rafael Lopez | Signed | doing okay at Boise so far |
17 | John Andreoli | Signed | looks like he'll play in Arizona for a few weeks and return to UCONN to finish classes |
18 | James Pugliese | Signed | Pitching for the AZL Cubs |
19 | Paul Hoilman | Signed | Striking out and hitting HR's for Boise |
20 | Ben Klafczynski | Signed | hitting poorly for Boise and now Peoria |
21 | Andrew McKirahan | $75K | Pitching well for the AZL Cubs |
22 | Ethian Elias | Signed | doesn't seem to be playing anywhere yet |
23 | Bradley Zimmer | Unsigned |
can't find any credible whispers on this one |
24 | George Asmus | Unsigned | can't find any credible whispers on this one |
25 | Rock Shoulders | $294K | that's about 4th round money |
26 | Michael Jensen | $225K | doesn't seem to be playing anywhere yet |
27 | Taiwan Easterling | $200K | not doing much for Peoria right now |
28 | Christopher Garrison | Unsigned |
can't find any credible whispers on this one |
29 | Drew Weeks | Unsigned |
can't find any credible whispers on this one |
30 | Arturo Maltos-Garcia | Signed | doesn't seem to be playing anywhere yet |
31 | Ronnie Richardson | Unsigned |
not looking good according to this |
32 | Pete Levitt | Signed | not pitching particularly well for Peoria |
33 | Sheldon McDonald | Signed | not pitching particularly well for Boise |
34 | Hunter Kelley | Unsigned |
can't find any credible whispers on this one |
35 | Ian Dickson | Signed |
6'5" righty that missed all of 2011 with injury, will report to Arizona |
36 | Travis Garcia | Signed | Was hitting decently for Boise, and then mysteriously retired |
37 | Steven Maxwell | Unsigned |
can't find any credible whispers on this one |
38 | Casey Lucchese | Signed | doesn't seem to be playing anywhere yet |
39 | Ricky Jacquez | Unsigned | Decides to go to Texas |
40 | Patrick Francescon | Signed | nice strikeout and walk rates for Peoria |
41 | Austin Urban | $100K | that's around 6th/7th round money I believe |
42 | Brad Zapenas | Signed | hitting poorly for Boise |
43 | Jay Calhoun | Unsigned |
Appears he'll be going to Dallas Baptist instead |
44 | Kenny Socorro | Signed | hitting poorly for Boise |
45 | Tanner Kichler | Unsigned |
can't find any credible whispers on this one |
46 | Scott Weismann | Signed | doesn't seem to be playing anywhere yet |
47 | David Ernst | Unsigned |
appears he's going to North Dakota State |
48 | Sam Howard | Unsigned |
seems he's headed to Georgia Southern |
49 | Antonio Gonzaeles | Unsigned |
can't find any credible whispers on this one |
50 | Cody Edwards | Unsigned |
can't find any credible whispers on this one |
If you stumble across any bonus information, let me know. I had to get back to work, but will try to hunt down more info before the day is over.
Comments