This is more following a thread, but there is a chance we got hear something about the Nationals signing 2008 5th round draft pick CA Adrian Nieto on Monday.
I frequent the Washington Nationals Fan Forum, where I have been following this thread on and off for about a month. The poster is apparently associated with Double Diamond Sports Management and maintains a blog of his own called 39 On The Line. In the most recent posting, the following comment was made “Read my blog monday everyone, I promise it will be worth it and relevant.”
From a quick Google search of the names listed under professional staff and the names of the unsigned draft picks, I found a match with Kusnick and Nieto.
I have not officially confirmed this, but just following the thread of posts, it could very likely be that an announcement about Nieto and the Nationals might come as soon as Monday.
Let’s hope the dam breaks on the outstanding signings with one I did not expect to happen.
Sec 204 Row K Seat11 | 09-Aug-08 at 10:43 am | Permalink
Brian
Great second effort!! It would be great news if Nieto signs.
Chris | 09-Aug-08 at 11:26 am | Permalink
He’s certainly got the grammar of a blogger!
Dave | 09-Aug-08 at 12:15 pm | Permalink
hard to believe this happening. would be great, but still hard to believe. all indications on draft day was the Nieto definitely wasn’t going to sign, that’s why he dropped to the 5th. would be a tremendous coup.
Alan | 09-Aug-08 at 12:38 pm | Permalink
Brian -
Should I ever need a private investigator, you’re hired.
BIM | 09-Aug-08 at 12:38 pm | Permalink
Nieto would indeed be a suprise, and welcome signing. He would add to the depth @CA for the next 5 years & have a chance at the ML roster in the next 2-3 years.
Andrew S. | 09-Aug-08 at 1:33 pm | Permalink
BIM I think that would be putting too much pressure on a kid fresh out of HS. Just a thought, but maybe it’s got something to do with Montz and/or Lefave? I hope Brian is right.
JMUNats | 09-Aug-08 at 2:00 pm | Permalink
Brian, I was thinking the same thing when I saw the post over at WNFF. Luckily, you saved me the time of having to figure out who agent 33 could possibly be talking about. It would seem that all signs point to Nieto, hopefully it ends up being the right call.
Does anyone happen to know who represents Graham Hicks. I know Crow is “advised” by JD Smart, Espinosa represented by Boras, and now Nieto, but I could not find anything after performing a basic search. Anyone?
MF | 09-Aug-08 at 2:40 pm | Permalink
Is it possible that it’s not good news in regards to Nieto?
Andrew S. | 09-Aug-08 at 3:02 pm | Permalink
Not good news usually comes after the deadline not before. But who knows.
Other Marc with a C | 09-Aug-08 at 3:12 pm | Permalink
I am not as good as Brian (who is) but this is what I found:
From June 7
“The Nationals didn’t blindly draft Hicks. They had scouts at all the games he pitched this year and called Hicks’ adviser prior to making the pick to make sure Hicks wasn’t coming off the dollar amount he was looking for to sign. When told that Hicks’ number remained the same, the Nationals made their pick.
Hicks didn’t reveal what he was looking for to sign but is expecting the signing process to go smoothly. He said he will be meeting with Washington in a couple of days and expects to be playing pro baseball soon.”
http://www.theledger.com/article/20080607/NEWS/
806070460/1341/SPORTS19&title=Teams_Give_Polk_Athletes_Shot_in_Draft
Obviously something went wrong from that phone call to now, since he is not signed.
Gavin B | 09-Aug-08 at 3:39 pm | Permalink
Does anyone know what Nieto was asking for? If you have to take a guess, how far above slot would it have been?
Nats Fan | 09-Aug-08 at 4:32 pm | Permalink
I bet this has to do with his guys Montz and LeFave. I didnt see anything that would actually point towards a Nieto deal happening. After reading the blog however I must say it was a breath of fresh air in a very stale business.
Nats Fan | 09-Aug-08 at 4:48 pm | Permalink
I found this too….
Draft pick at standoff
Negotiations between the Nationals and fifth-round draft pick Adrian Nieto have stalled, and according to a source familiar with the negotiations, the two sides haven’t spoken in two weeks.
The switch-hitting catcher was rated by some as the second-best high school catcher in the draft, but concerns about his right elbow and his signability dropped him to the fifth round.
Nieto seeks a signing bonus similar to that of a second-round pick, which would be upward of $350,000, while the Nationals have offered only slot money - in Nieto’s case, roughly $185,000.
The source said the Nationals are calling themselves a “slot team” - in other words, a team that won’t pay above slot value for its draft picks. Washington paid $1.8 million to its 2007 sixth-round pick, high school left-hander Jack McGeary.
Washington has until Aug. 15 to sign its top five picks, none of which are in the fold yet.
Though Bowden declined to comment on specific negotiations, he said “the market is pretty clear” and added “as soon as they want to pick up the phone and agree, it’s done. It’s easy.
“They clearly know we’re being very fair on negotiations based on the marketplace, and we’re hoping our players want to play.”
EdDC | 09-Aug-08 at 5:12 pm | Permalink
Well, we have to hope that building a winning team is more important than building a reputation as a slot team. What principle do the Nats want to emphasize, team-building or staying within budget? The extra $165,000 is worth it for the player, and is so much less than the multi-millions thrown away on slow, aging veterans last off-season.
What would the Red Sox do?
Nats Fan | 09-Aug-08 at 5:32 pm | Permalink
I hope they end up signing the kid, there isnt much catching depth in the system, plus he seems like an actual “steal” in the 5th round. I wonder if he’s taking slot?
Nats Fan | 09-Aug-08 at 5:38 pm | Permalink
Also, does his “advisor” have any history of holding guys out and getting them signed? I just cant wait til this is all over with, I want our guys signed!
Offense/offensive | 09-Aug-08 at 7:53 pm | Permalink
Based on the timing of this, you’d have to first think to the draft rather than anything happening with Montz or Lefave. Considering Montz and Lefave’s respective performances (which are good, but not great), it seems even more likely that it’s in regards to something happening with the draft.
Mike | 09-Aug-08 at 9:07 pm | Permalink
Brian, you are the man. You website is must read everyday!!!! Thanks for all you do.
mjames | 10-Aug-08 at 7:47 am | Permalink
The thing which I find so perplexing is that that the team could probably sign their 3,4 and 5 picks for the amount they wasted on Rob Mack….. This business about staying within their budget is double speak as is the reference to slot. The budget is obviously too small while their budget for the Nats is too high, especially if they are going with the Plan. We wasted upwards of $15 mm on the major league level. If you are going with the Plan spend big on the draftees and scale back at the major league level. You do not need aging vets to fill out the roster. Use your prospects. Something doesn’t compute here.
Positively Half St. | 10-Aug-08 at 9:02 am | Permalink
The Post mentions a Monday deadline for signing Nieto. For better or worse, Monday is about Nieto, not my man Lefave.
Andrew S. | 10-Aug-08 at 11:46 am | Permalink
He signs…http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2008/08/nats_nieto_agree.html
Kirkie | 10-Aug-08 at 11:47 am | Permalink
Nat’s Journal - Chico has the (unconfirmed) scoop - well; not quite scoop - as Brian seemed to have 90% of the dots joined up first….