Yonder Alonso

We gotta sign him...We were going to give some young pitcher 5 million or so from the dominican...

Can't pass on a hitter like him...It gives you flexibility with trading some guys, like EE, Votto...

The Reds have absolutely got to sign him. They knew what he was asking for and still chose him. Not signing him sets the organization further back.

According to an earlier post, Alonso said last week he might go back to college, go to the CWS again, and finish the job in Omaha. Now, it's the Independent League.

Reds do need to sign him, but Alonso doesn't have great options either. Deal should get done.

GBeckham reportedly took a $2.6 million bonus. That doesn't help Alonso, whose demand seems out of line.

Signing Alonso a 'priority' for Reds
Cincy, Miami product have until Friday's midnight ET deadline
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

PITTSBURGH -- Both the Reds and Yonder Alonso are on the clock.

Major League clubs have until a midnight ET deadline on Friday to sign players selected during the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. As of Wednesday, the Reds and Alonso -- a University of Miami first baseman and the No. 7 overall pick -- were not close to coming to terms on a contract.

Reds scouting director Chris Buckley declined to detail the negotiations.

"I don't want to get into it but we're still a bit apart," Buckley said. "We're working and trying to get it done. We're hopeful we'll get him out there."

Cincinnati isn't alone with its stalemate. Ten clubs have yet to get their first-rounders in the fold -- many of them are top-10 picks, like Alonso. Perhaps activity will pick up following Wednesday's White Sox signing of Gordon Beckham, who landed just behind Alonso as the No. 8 overall selection. Terms were not immediately known.

"Hopefully, some other guys might sign and that could help us," Buckley said. "It's getting close to the deadline and agents are taking the dance until Friday. We'll see who blinks."

If a deal isn't reached, the Reds would lose their rights to Alonso, who would likely return to Miami for his senior season and re-enter the Draft next year. The 22-year-old told the Miami Herald last week that he was willing to do that. He could also opt to play professionally in an independent league. Either option is a risk, should he get injured or see his Draft stock fall.

Reports say that Alonso is seeking $7 million and possibly a Major League contract, which would require Cincinnati to place him on the 40-man roster. The Reds are believed to want to sign him according to the slot system, which could keep the bonus in the $2-3 million range.

"Our preference is to do a Minor League contract," Buckley said.

A message was left with Alonso's advisor, agent Greg Genske

By rule, the Reds would get a first round compensation pick exactly one spot later next year if they are unable to ink Alonso. That means they would get the eighth overall selection, in addition to their regular pick. Based on the Reds' current record, that would mean two picks in the top 10.

"We're optimistic. If not, we'll take the Draft pick," Buckley said. "I can't say I know for sure we'll sign him. If we don't, we'll have two first-round picks next year. Obviously, our priority is to sign."

Buckley, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty and assistant GM Bob Miller are leading the club's negotiations. Jocketty has been in the Dominican Republic on a scouting trip, but was scheduled to return to Cincinnati on Wednesday night.

During his junior season, Alonso batted .370 with 24 home runs and 72 RBIs. He participated with the Hurricanes in the College World Series.

So far, the Reds have signed 31 of their 50 Draft picks this year. Signing the 32nd guy, Alonso, has clearly been the most challenging.

Tick tock, tick tock.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/...=.jsp&c_id=cin

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Originally Posted by Buckeye33

Latest from Fay:

I talked to Yonder Alonso a little bit ago. He was sticking to his tough stance, saying he wouldn't sign unless the Reds gave him what he wanted, which is believed to be a big league contract worth $7 million.

Before I hung up, I put it to him like this:

"If the Reds come to you Friday with a $3 million big league contract, what will happen?"

"You'll be writing a story about me going to the independent league," he said.

I thought this would get done. But what I hadn't count on is the ARod factor. Alex Rodriguez, that Alex Rodriguez, is Alonso workout partner and friend. ARod has told Alonso if things don't work to his liking, he welcome to live with Rodiguez next season and play for Newark or Long Island of the Atlantic League. My guess ARod doesn't live in fifth floor walk-up.

There hasn't been a lot of back and forth between Alonso's representatives and the Reds. But he did not rule out signing.

"I try to stay positive," he said. "They lost two big hitters. I'd love to play there. But hey knew what I wanted when they draft me. If they weren't going to give it to, why did they take me. They knew what they got themselves into."

If the Reds doen't sign Alonso, they get the eighth pick in next year's draft.

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If thats really the way he feel I say screw him let him go live with A Rod.

If we give Alonso 7 Million this year than bonuses are going to go through the roof next year. I don't have a problem going over slot for him, as I think he'd be our top prospect right away, but I'd keep it around 4 million. I'm guessing MLB is hoping they dont give 7 million to him.

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If thats really the way he feel I say screw him let him go live with A Rod.

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Agreed. And then get drafted by the Nats. Or maybe the Pads, where he could ply his opposite field power bat in Petco.

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Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

If he calls the Reds' bluff, the Reds are still more screwed than Alonso is (no minor league hitters to speak of, sputtering of recent call-ups Bruce and Votto, four teams in the Central well in front of the Reds whose offenses are locked-up/affordable/young--well Houston's isn't young, but they are about trillion times tougher).

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How's that?

If Alonso walks, we get to pick another great hitter next year, plus add $7 million to the payroll in 2009, which could be used on a veteran free agent that's going help a lot more in the immediate than Alonso would.

So we break even in the long-run and win in the short run.

I don't understand why the Reds are so reluctant to give Alonso a major league contract. Hell, they have no problems with wasting 40-man roster spots on guys like Gary Majewski, Paul Bako, Javier Valentin, Josh Fogg, Corey Patterson, Todd Coffey, Kent Mercker, Andy Phillips, and Norris Hopper. Plus they offered a major league contract to 16 year old Michel Inoa. If you offer a MLC to a 16 year old then why can't you give one to a polished college player?

From what little I know about Yonder Alonso (demanding what he's demanding, being real tight with A-Rod and as a result of that probably already having a sense of "big league" around him), I'm not sure I like the attitude of this kid.

He rubs me (and again, I know very little about him) as a "me first" type of a guy.

I doubt the MLC is the sticking point, it's the money.

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If you offer a MLC to a 16 year old then why can't you give one to a polished college player?

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They'll give in on that before they do on 7 million, I think.

I, too can't see the Major League contract being the sticking point....but him demanding so much above slot.

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Originally Posted by redhawk61

why not, you pay what you have to pay, even if it over the norm to get good players in your organization if you want to win. The money fits in the budget. Cheaping out is how we have had the past 8 years

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They knew what he was asking when they took him. Pony up. 7 million is going to be awful cheap when he is close to replacing Adam Dunn's production in 2010.

Due to this contract dispute, if Yonder does wind up signing he will easily replace Adam Dunn as the single most scrutinized player across Reds Nation.