There's no one more qualified to understand what Bryce Harper is going through right now (or more qualified to speak about it) than Stephen Strasburg.
So the Nationals' rookie right-hander was asked after today's game if he has any advice for this year's No. 1 draft pick, who has until midnight tomorrow to sign. Strasburg, who of course waited until 11:59 p.m. last summer before agreeing to a record-shattering $15.1 million contract, had this to say:
"I don't have any advice for him. It's his decision. If he wants to play here, he's going to play here. He doesn't need advice from anybody to convince him otherwise. If he doesn't want to play here, then we don't want him here."
Strong words from someone who had plenty of strong words said about him one year ago at this time.
11 comments:
Hey Mark - can you do a little more checking on the signing statuses of the non-Harpers? Looks like BA has all three of them in ($2m for Cole, $1m for Solis, and $800K for Ray). Cole and Solis seem to be pretty agreed upon (though looks like Bill may be a bit offbeat), but I can't see anything else about Ray anywhere other than the BA article.
I love the way, if this is all true, that the Nats cleared the deck for action tomorrow. My picks: Less Money than Stras got, no 40 man slot, 11:57:30 - two and a half full minutes to go.
Strasburg said "...If he doesn't want to play here, then we don't want him here."
That is a classic quote. That's how I felt about that Aaron Crow.
I love Strasburg's attitude. This is Zimm's team, but Strasburg is right there with him as a leader.
Way to say it SS--you're a true Nats! Hope your arm(and brain) takes you to the HOF!
Hey Aaron, look what Storen's doin'; go eat Crow you higher Draft choice blankety blank blank---hope you're enjoying the good life in A ball!
33
If he doesn't sign with the Nats, good luck getting a better deal with the Pirates next year.
Zimmy and Luttle Stephen should shut the F UP!!! If they are both professionals (I think there is a question about both their makeups) try know that the agent is behind this not the player. Coming from anyone but Drew Storen such statements show a lack of maturity which is disturbing to say the least...Bryce is the face of the franchise Now...get over it!
COMPLETELY disregarding the previous verbage by the adolescent poster, I'm more excited by the signing of Cole, Solis, and Ray as it appears we've corralled 2 more sure fire first rounders. The item about the "snag" with Cole has to be due to the over slotted price we paid and MLB not wanting that information out before 11:00 PM tonite.
As for Harper, he will not be the #1 pick if he decides to go back to school and even if he is, his barganing position will be alot weaker due to the next labor agreemnet that will provide "slotted" values for draft picks, much like the NBA. ANd next years draft is loaded with MLB ready athletes.
Anon @ 7:15 (and may I call you "Bryce"? ;-)), thanks for weighing in, but I'm gonna have to go ahead and agree with SS.
NatsJack,
You hit it right on; there is 0 chance that Harper doesn't sign; Boras is way too smart for that. He will squeeze every last penny he can and then he'll sign.
I think Rizzo; and yes the Lerners should be commended for drafting way over slot; overpaying for superior talent and getting every one signed.
This; IMHO is how you build a long term successful franchise.
Strasburg is right. But it's funny how easily we forget that he did the same thing last year. So... he might be right, but he's a damn hypocrite.
Anon @ 11:39, I just don't recall Strasburg posting on Facebook that he was returning to college or anything similar last year.
I do recall hearing a lot of rumors that turned out to be unsubstantiated, and then learning about the Strasburg signing shortly after midnight. But no public pronouncements from SS that I can remember.
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