SB Nation DC - MLB Draft 2011 Signing Deadline: Nationals Agree To Deals With All Top Picks

Mike Rizzo Succeeds Again At 2011 MLB Draft, But What About Everything Else?

2011-08-16T15:21:01Z

The MLB Draft signing deadline on Monday night proved once again what we've learned the past three years: Mike Rizzo is really good at the draft. Forget the dollar figures, because they're ultimately pointless when considering baseball's royally screwed up slotting system. The bottom line is that Rizzo and his team drafted arguably the top hitting prospect in the draft in Anthony Rendon, then signed him and their top 13 picks, even though several had signability questions.

That's three straight years of the Nationals doing their job at the draft. Remember the anxiety everyone felt in 2009, when there was a legitimate worry Stephen Strasburg wouldn't want to sign with as downtrodden an organization as the Nationals? Following the signing deadline on Monday night reminded me of how nice it is to know that things were in good hands. Rizzo and his team deserve all the credit they'll get here.

Still, something seemed a bit unsettling about Monday night. I think it has something to do with what Rizzo said after the signings were wrapped up.

Mike Rizzo more fired up tonight than I'd ever seen him. "We are the talk of the industry."less than a minute ago via Mobile Web Favorite Retweet ReplyAdam Kilgore
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On one level, Rizzo is entitled to brag a little. But "talk of the industry?" Maybe in the wee hours of August 16, 2011, when everyone is in draft mode. Otherwise? Most organizations know that the drafting process is just one of the many things a baseball general manager must do well. The Nationals won't truly be the "talk of the industry" until they brush up on those other things.

This is always the lingering concern I have with Rizzo. Considering his scouting background prior to becoming the Nationals' general manager, is it that much of a stretch to say that he gets up more for drafting and scouting than the other parts of his job?

Maybe, maybe not. But consider the mountains of circumstantial evidence. Earlier this season, when the Nationals were in a long losing streak and needed some crisis management from their GM, Rizzo was on the road scouting prospects for the draft. Even something as unbelievably trivial as media relations came a little awkwardly to Rizzo earlier this season. It's silly, but it potentially reveals the story of a man who shows far more attention to detail to scouting than everything else.

Then, there's his free agent record, which continues to be spotty. Rizzo was right to not spend on Adam Dunn, but made an even more colossal mistake by handing Jayson Werth a mammoth contract. The idea that the Nationals needed to spend to show their legitimacy is faulty (isn't that what overspending in the draft is for?), and to give that money to a player over the age of 30 who has no experience dealing with the pressure of being a "main guy" was foolish.

The smaller moves Rizzo has made have also been questionable. Adam LaRoche was probably a waste of money with Michael Morse proving he's more than capable of playing first base. For $5 million a year, Jason Marquis had one decent half a season before being turned into a low-level prospect that will be lucky to see the Majors. Was that really the upside Rizzo saw when he signed Marquis? Finally, stocking his bench with washed-up veterans hasn't exactly thrilled new manager Davey Johnson.

There are other questions too. International scouting has been a huge problem under Rizzo, with the Nationals throwing gobs of money at Yunesky Maya only to find he stinks. Crisis management still remains an issue. The saga with the Potomac Nationals field reflected poorly on everyone involved, and better people management could have prevented the Potomac personnel from venting in the press. Finally, no matter how you feel about Jim Riggleman's decision to walk out on the team, there's a sense that better communication between Rizzo and Riggleman could have prevented, or at least lessened that scenario.

All this isn't meant to demean Rizzo's accomplishments with the draft. The draft is really important, and Rizzo is getting it done there. By that alone, he's already exponentially better than Jim Bowden. It's also possible that, if Strasburg and Harper are as good as advertised, the Nationals will be a good team with anyone running the show.

But as far as being the "talk of the industry?" That will only happen once Rizzo becomes as good at the rest of his job as he is at the draft.

Mike Rizzo Very Confident In Nationals' Farm System Following MLB Draft Signing Deadline

2011-08-16T13:00:47Z

The Washington Nationals had a big night last night, signing their top four picks, including a couple who had a pretty good amount of leverage over the club in negotiations. Anthony Rendon, Alex Meyer, Brian Goodwin and Matt Purke are all very good to elite prospects who could contribute on a major league level sooner rather than later. But until then, they will be in the minor leagues, a system which Mike Rizzo has strengthened considerably over the past few years; just ask him. Via Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider.

"We're the talk of the industry right now," the general manager said. "Before we signed these players, we had a minor-league system that the needle was heading north in a big, big way. And this just solidifies us as, to me, one of the great scouting and player development organizations in baseball. We feel really good about ourselves tonight."

Well, I would sound confident (border line brash, actually) if I was able to bring n those types of players into the fold. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he has an owner that is willing to spend like a mad man to get these types of deals done. Go ahead and feel good about yourself Mike, you have every right.

MLB Draft 2011: Nationals Sign All Top Draft Picks, Spend To Do It

2011-08-16T11:29:11Z

The Washington Nationals signed all their top picks in the 2011 MLB Draft in the wee hours leading up to the midnight signing deadline. Anthony Rendon, the No. 6 overall pick in the draft, was the big guy to sign, but the Nationals also signed their top four picks beyond Rendon, the team announced. That list includes first-round pick Alex Meyer, sandwich pick Brian Goodwin, third-round pick Matt Purke and fourth-round pick Kylin Turnbull.

Meyer, a pitcher from Kentucky, received a $2 million bonus, according to Baseball America's John Manuel. Goodwin, an outfielder from Miami Dade College in Florida, received a staggering $3 million bonus, according to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman. Purke, meanwhile, received even more than that, signing for around $4 million, which is less than originally reported. There was a good chance that Purke would return to college, so the Nationals were forced to ante up for him.

Ultimately, the Nationals spent anywhere from $16 to $17 million on their first five draft picks, according to reports. Once again, they are showing they are committed to spending at the MLB Draft.

For more on the 2011 MLB Draft and the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball.

MLB Draft 2011: Danny Hultzen Signs With Seattle Mariners, Could Receive Up To $10.6 Million

2011-08-16T11:15:25Z

Bethesda native Danny Hultzen's status was very much up in the air as the 2011 MLB draft signing deadline approached, but in the end, the Virginia pitcher did sign with the Seattle Mariners. The No. 2 pick in the draft received a massive contract that could pay him $10.6 million if he reaches some incentives, according to Baseball America's Jim Callis.

Hultzen will receive a five-year contract with an $8.5 million guarantee, a $6.35 million bonus and a max value of $10.6 million. That is a smaller bonus than No. 1 overall pick Garrett Cole got from the Pirates, but it is still pretty high all things considering.

Hultzen was the leader of a Virginia squad that was number one in the nation for most of the year before coming up short at the College World Series. He is expected to anchor the Mariners staff for years to come. The Bethesda, Md. native hones his craft at St. Albans High School.

For more on Hultzen's new team, visit Lookout Landing and SB Nation Seattle.

MLB Draft 2011: Nationals Sign Anthony Rendon To Major League Contract Worth $7.2 Million Guaranteed, According To Report

2011-08-16T11:01:35Z

The Washington Nationals once again walked away having signed all of their picks in the 2011 MLB Draft, and once again, it appears they have spent a lot of money to do it. The team announced the signings of No. 6 overall pick Anthony Rendon, No. 23 pick Alex Meyer, sandwich pick Brian Goodwin, third-round pick Matt Purke and fourth-round pick Kylin Turnbull, and various reports have the Nationals spending just under $17 million to get those deals done.

Rendon was the big one, and the Nationals obliged by giving the third baseman a four-year Major League contract with a $7.2 million guarantee and a $6 million bonus, according to Baseball America's Jim Callis. Rendon was seen by many as the top prospect in the draft, but health concerns caused him to slip to No. 6. He is a third baseman like Ryan Zimmerman, but most believe one will move to accommodate the other.

For more on the 2011 MLB Draft and the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball.

MLB Draft Signing Deadline Day In A Nutshell

2011-08-16T03:08:49Z

This is the Washington Post beat reporter interacting with the Nationals' second first-round pick.

@AlexMeyer17 Off the record, are you going to sign?less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyAdam Kilgore
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MLB Draft 2011 Signing Deadline One Hour Away, Top Nationals Picks Remain Unsigned

2011-08-16T03:01:14Z

Did you ever have a paper in college that you refused to begin until the very last moment because you knew that was the only time you could be motivated to get anything done? That's basically the MLB Draft signing deadline for you. We're approaching one hour until the midnight deadline to sign draft picks, and there has still been no reported movement on any of the Nationals' top picks.

No. 6 overall pick Anthony Rendon, No. 23 overall pick Alex Meyer and sandwich pick Brian Goodwin remain unsigned. All are Scott Boras clients, and compared to the legitimate concern with Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper over the past couple years, anxiety is pretty low. All are expected to come to an agreement, though all will probably be signed above slot. Matt Purke, whose status is more up in the air than those three, also remains unsigned.

The Nationals did sign fourth-round pick Kylin Turnbull for $325,000, about $100,000 over slot, according to Baseball America's Jim Callis. Turnbull is a lefty pitcher from UC-Santa Barbara.

MLB Draft 2011 Signing Deadline Is Monday, Anthony Rendon Among Nationals' Unsigned Picks

2011-08-15T14:33:14Z

The 2011 MLB Draft signing deadline is at midnight on Monday night, and the Washington Nationals still have plenty of work to do to sign their top picks. This is nothing new, since most teams wait until the last minute to get deals done, but there's always a bit of apprehension. The Nationals went right down to the deadline to sign Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper in consecutive years, and will probably do so again in 2011.

The top prospect the Nationals need to sign is third baseman Anthony Rendon, the sixth overall pick in the draft. Agent Scott Boras, who has a history with the Nationals, will probably push for the Nationals to sign Rendon above the slot value of the No. 6 pick, because many observers had Rendon as the top prospect in the draft. General manager Mike Rizzo has a history of paying draft picks above slot value, so there's a good chance it happens again.

The Nationals also need to sign fellow first-round pick Alex Meyer and sandwich pick Brian Goodwin, who came to the team through compensatory picks. Both players are also represented by Boras.

The one player still up in the air is Matt Purke, the TCU pitcher who fell because of health concerns. He could easily return to school and improve his stock for next year, but that comes with a risk because MLB commissioner Bud Selig is pushing for a slotted system where rookies have mandated signing bonuses based on draft position. If that happens, Purke could lose out on that raise from improving his stock.

For more on the Nationals' 2011 MLB Draft signings, visit Federal Baseball.