Nothing new to report on the Pedro Alvarez front. The Pirates have a very good offer on the table that I'm being told exceeds the signing bonus Tim Beckham received. (Speculation - $6.27 - $6.4 million range) Alvarez continues to seek a MLB contract under the advice of Scott Boras. Pittsburgh has been warming up to the idea of giving Alvarez a MLB contract but they want him to take a physical before hand. Even if the Pirates and Alvarez don’t reach an agreement on a MLB contract, Alvarez will most likely go against the advice of Boras and take the Pirates offer. There is just too much money on the table for Alvarez to pass up.
Update 11:50 a.m. The Pirates remain in discussions with 20th round selection Quinton Miller. Discussions with Zachary Wilson are on going but his asking price remains very high. The team has an offer on the table for Tanner Scheppers that is more than what Robert Grossman received. Scheppers is believed to be seeking a signing bonus in the range of $1.4 million - $1.5 million according to a source. His slot value is in the 800k range.
Updated 12:08 p.m. Here’s an article that shows Alvarez will likely have to go against the advice of Scott Boras and take the Pirates offer. Click here to read the latest from Andrew Baggarly
Updated 1:08 p.m. Very quiet on the Tanner Scheppers front. There has been a lot of posturing come from his camp in the past 48 hours. Pirates have a offer on the table and indications are the current offer is as high as they are willing to go. I am waiting for confirmation on an exact number but a source indicates the Pirates offer is not in the $1.5 million range which is what Scheppers is seeking.
1:46 p.m. The Pirates remain very interested in signing 20th round selection Quinton Miller and discussions have continued into the early afternoon. This may not be a great sign that Scheppers will accept the Pirates take it or leave it offer but a source did indicate last night the Pirates were interested in signing both. Miller is seeking a signing bonus well above his slot value to sign with the Pirates. Miller was named in Baseball America’s list of the nation’s top 200 prospects.
2:15 p.m. Some numbers are getting leaked among some baseball insiders regarding negotiations with Pedro Alvarez, Buster Posey and Eric Hosmer. The early word on Royals 1st round pick Eric Hosmer is that the Royals are offering Hosmer a deal very similar to what Tim Beckham received. According to a report from the Kansas City Star, Hosmer is torn between college and pro ball. Pedro Alvarez and Buster Posey are playing cat and mouse to see which one will blink first and sign. One of my sources keeps coming back to the number I reported earlier in the week. ($6.35 million signing bonus with 9.25 guarantees) The Pirates offer is believed to be in that range although I’m not sure the guaranteed money is at $9.25 million.
2:58 p.m. My source continues to indicate that Scheppers is seeking a signing bonus in the range of $1.5 million. That would be the equivalent of a pick midway through the first round. The two sides are not that far apart in the numbers. Pirates offer believed to be 1.2 million, according to a source. The Pirates are playing hardball and are taking the stance that they will not increase their offer. That remains to be seen but the ball is in Scheppers hand whether to come to his senses and take the Pirates offer or return to college. With his shoulder injury it will be a gamble for Scheppers to turn down the Pirates deal especially considering how strong next years draft is expected to be with pitchers. I would put the percentages at 50-50 but the growing sense is exactly what I reported earlier that the Pirates pretty much have a take it or leave it offer on the table.
4:04 p.m. Orioles sign Brian Matusz to a Major League deal worth $3.2MM, according to Dan Connolly. Matusz, a left-hander out of the University of San Diego was the fourth overall pick in June's amateur draft.
4:06 p.m. Pirates sign 20th round selection Quinton Miller. I'm hearing Miller was given a signing bonus in the range of 850k.
4:26 p.m. The Quinton Miller signing doesn't change anything in regards to Tanner Scheppers. As I stated in one of my earlier posts, the Pirates had the intention to pursue both pitchers. Pirates have a offer on the table to Zachary Wilson that is very similar to what they offered Quinton Miller, according to a source. I'm hearing it may be in the 950k range. My source indicates the Pirates value him that high.
7:00 p.m. My source doesn't expect any announcement on Pedro Alvarez until atleast 10:30 p.m. The Pirates current offer includes a MLB deal and that's why many insiders believe a deal will get done. The Pirates have made a last ditch effort to sign Zachary Wilson. Talks have been at a stalemate with Tanner Scheppers but there is still a offer on the table from the Pirates. I have some prior commitments to get to and check back in a few hours for the latest.9:30 p.m. back with the latest updates. Live chat will be up in about a hour.
10:00 p.m. Two hours until tonight's deadline. A lot of posturing continues from Tanner Scheppers camp. The Pirates are not budging but their offer remains on the table. I would put it at 50-50 right now and this one is going down to the wire. Pirates offer in the $1.25 million range.
10:10 p.m. Alvarez update: Just got a email from one of my sources that a deal could be announced within the next 30-45 minutes. Agreement very close according to my source. Deal includes MLB contract. stay tuned.
10:30 p.m. Done deal - MLB contract. working for confirmation on the numbers
11:40 p.m. A Source remains somewhat optimistic that a deal may be reached in the next 20 minutes with Tanner Scheppers. Discussions have picked up.
12:26 a.m. $6.35 signing bonus for Alvarez? Buster Posey has a signed for $6.2 million (minor league contract) stay tuned.
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