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Crow not on Nats' perch yet
Nationals notebook
Date published: 8/13/2008 By RICH CAMPBELL BY RICH CAMPBELL WASHINGTON-- After signing three of their top five draft picks in the last three days, the Washington Nationals' front office has turned its focus to signing first-rounder Aaron Crow, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Missouri, before Saturday's midnight deadline.Negotiations haven't been fruitful so far, but the Nationals are hopeful that deadline pressure will facilitate an agreement. Crow is believed to be seeking a multimillion-dollar major-league contract, and the Nationals aren't eager to give him one. General manager Jim Bowden declined to comment on negotiations yesterday, but he told the team's Web site on Monday that the Nationals won't give out major-league deals to draft picks. If the Nationals don't sign Crow, who was drafted ninth overall in June, they'll receive an extra draft pick in the top 10 in next year's draft. "We hope to sign Crow, we're going to work hard to sign Crow, but it is good to know that at the end of the day if you don't do it, you're still going to get two of the top 10 next year," Bowden said. Draft picks are rarely signed to major-league contracts, which are guaranteed in most cases. Washington's first-rounder last season, left-hander Ross Detwiler, did not sign a major league deal but received a $2.15 million signing bonus after being drafted sixth overall. Signing Crow, however, isn't just about dollars. For a franchise that has emphatically stated its mission to build a championship-caliber club through the draft and player development--as opposed to free agency--not signing the first-round pick would wrinkle a fan base that is growing increasingly impatient with the last-place team's on-field struggles. "Within reason, you have to sign all your players," Nationals director of scouting Dana Brown said. "That's the main thing. We want to sign him. It would hurt if he doesn't sign. You get a pick [next year] for not signing Crow, but you'd rather sign the guy you drafted." As of last night, only two of the top nine overall picks in the draft had signed with their respective teams. Florida Marlins catcher Kyle Skipworth, the sixth-overall pick, received a bonus of $2.3 million. The 10th pick, Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro, signed for $2.07 million. Crow is believed to be seeking more than the recommended slot amount of $2.15 million.
Date published: 8/13/2008
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