The Houston Astros are taking a beating right now in terms of public perception after they failed to sign no. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken.
More from Houston Astros
- NY Mets: 4 monstrous trade packages for Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer
- MLB Rumors: Willson Contreras trade suitor, Reds surprise move, Giolito war
- MLB standings ordered by hard hit rate: Struggling Cardinals still cracking bats
- MLB Rumors: Yankees, Astros set for trade showdown for big-name bat
- MLB rumors: Justin Verlander buzz, Astros target All-Star, Reds-White Sox deal
The negative publicity might be good practice for them as they brace for a potential battle with the MLB Player’s Union after they publicly questioned the health of Aiken’s elbow during contract negotiations.
As for the actual final offer the Astros sent Aiken’s way, it was reportedly $5 million. That is more than they initially offered, but still well short of the $7,922,100 assigned to that draft slot and less than the $6.5 million that they two sides reportedly nearly agreed to.
Source: The Astros’ final offer to Brady Aiken was $5 million.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) July 18, 2014
The reluctance on Houston’s behalf was because of Aiken’s elbow. So while most would point to their failure to sign the young left-handed pitcher, there is some risk on Aiken’s side of things.
Brady Aiken must be really, really, really, really confident he's healthy to turn down ~$5M. To get that again, he needs to be a top 3 pick.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 18, 2014
Either because negotiations were made in good faith or because the Astros were trying to cover their tracks, general manager Jeff Luhnow insists that they tried to engage Aiken for contract negotiations in advance of Monday’s deadline and were shot down.
“We tried to engage Casey Close three times today … there was no interest” — GM Jeff Luhnow tells the Chronicle
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) July 18, 2014
As for a potential showdown with the Players’ Association, Luhnow tried to get out in front of that issue as well.
Luhnow: "We did nothing unethical, we did nothing disingenuous. We tried to sign good players at the appropriate values"
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) July 18, 2014
This situation with Aiken might be a catalyst for change, perhaps in the physicals required for potential draftees to avoid such a dilemma in the future.
Players Association is going to issue a statement shortly on Aiken matter. War drums growing for next CBA negotiations #Astros
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 18, 2014
For now it is back to the drawing board for the Astros as they try to map out their long rebuilding plan with extra picks in 2015 but simply nothing to show for 2014.