Gerritt Cole Turns Down Yankees for UCLA

[Zimmers' Helmet]

Looks like everyone who called me nuts for suggesting that Gerrit Cole could very well be the next Mark Prior and reject the Yankees for college should read this..

http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/0...-over-yankees/

This is terrible news. This is a guy the Yankees had to sign.

[nhyankeefan]

This is already being discussed in the draft thread in the minor league forum. And it's very possible this is nothing more than a negotiating ploy.

[Godzilllllla]

this stuff should really be reported after the noon deadline tomorrow. maybe this is actually true but numerous signings occur literally right before the deadline. i don't care what a source said, if he isn't signed by noon tomorrow then that will be unfortunate. but this is probably a little premature.

[NYYRules#1]

I'm really hoping this turns out to be wrong. We can't afford to lose this guy.

[Yankees47]

Just Embrassing if they cant sign this kid...If they had any idea of him not signing than why the hell did they even pick him??? What about the other Top 3 picks...They arent going to sign them either??? If they are going to mkae a strong effort to promote players from within and use the farm system than this is asanine to say the least....So I say sign CC and Big Tex next year who cares about draft picks if your not going to sign them anyways

[Yankees47]

I really dont understand this either...He is a Yankee fan growing up and from what you hear a real avid one at that...He says its not about the money and he wants to go to college??? Sure UCLA is unreal and I know about getting an education and all that crap but is this guy serious?? What if he blows his arm out in college and never makes it...What is he going to sell car insurance??? Its not like hes a 20th round pick or even a 5th round pick...The guy got taken in round 1 by the team of his dreams what the hell is there to even think about???....I jus do not understand this

[Godzilllllla]

I really dont understand this either...He is a Yankee fan growing up and from what you hear a real avid one at that...He says its not about the money and he wants to go to college??? Sure UCLA is unreal and I know about getting an education and all that crap but is this guy serious?? What if he blows his arm out in college and never makes it...What is he going to sell car insurance??? Its not like hes a 20th round pick or even a 5th round pick...The guy got taken in round 1 by the team of his dreams what the hell is there to even think about???....I jus do not understand this

that's why they should wait until after noon tomorrow to report this stuff. it may be true, but it may also be they are completely, flat out lying and they're just holding out for more money. i wouldn't be surprised if we sign the kid before the deadline tomorrow. we'll just have to wait and see.

[YESSIR!]

Some people grow up in collegiate families. There's tradition and purpose behind attending a University and pursuing a higher education. I can understand all the arguments behind having to sign, but it just doesn't gel with some people. Not that Cole is one of these folks, but I'm just saying. If you're from a family that has money, there's no need to take the money now because of what might happen down the road. Sometimes the college experience feels more important.

[Rocketbooster]

This is depressing, but even more depressing is the thought that the season can get worse, much worse. I'd like to put the 2008 baseball season out of it's misery right now.

I read that Cole wanted a major league contract - LOL. I think not. If that's his attitude, good luck at college. If he's doing this for his father, he's a fool because this is Cole's life, not his father's. I am all for getting an education, but college will always be there. This kid is taking a big gamble that he will stay healthy and/or that he will not lapse into ineffectiveness.

If the Yankees were mislead by Cole into thinking that he was eventually going to sign (that he hadn't seriously considered going to college), then shame on the kid and his family. If not, then I guess I can't feel too badly for the Yankees as they took a shot and they lost. I'm not sure it was a risk worth taking as they have lost their #1 pick.

I don't know anything about Brett Marshall, but I hope he's good.

[groundhoggator]

Love how everyone is sucked in by this negotiation tactic... Folks - its the final countdown... he will sign... I'd still be shocked if he doesn't sign tomorrow... The Yankees have all the leverage and Cole really doesn't want to spend 3 yrs tied up with no money.

Deal gets done... - he's holding out for a 40 man spot - which he shouldn't and will not get.

[Vin]

If he could very well be the next Mark Prior as mentioned then that's not a good thing. When I hear Mark Prior I hear often injured

[Prison Mike]

I'll wait to comment until after the deadline. Seems like posturing to me...

[NYDCYankee]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08152008...nce_124521.htm

Quote:

The Yankees and first-round pick Gerrit Cole, a California high school righty pitcher, have until today to agree to a deal, or Cole won't be allowed to sign with the club that used the 28th pick to take him.
"We are working on it," scouting director Damon Oppenheimer said.
Cole, who has a scholarship from UCLA if he spurns the Yankees, is being advised by agent Scott Boras. However, industry sources say Cole's father, Mark Cole, is running the show and is on the demanding side.
"They ask me for information and I give it to them," Boras said.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseba...,1526962.story

Quote:

The Yankees are highly pessimistic that they will be able to sign first-round pick Gerrit Cole, although they will keep trying to do so until tonight's midnight deadline.

A source close to negotiations said Cole, a righthander out of Orange Lutheran High School in California, has decided to attend UCLA. The source said Cole, a Scott Boras client, is so determined to go to college that he would not even take an offer from the Yankees. The New York Times first reported last night that Cole would not sign with the Yankees.

The Yankees will keep trying to convince Cole to sign up until the deadline, but they are not optimistic. General manager Brian Cashman said by phone yesterday afternoon: "We're trying to sign them [Cole and other unsigned picks]. If they don't sign, we'll take the draft picks."

It ain't over till it's over.

[Godzilllllla]

all i can say is, this kid is crazy if he actually ends up not signing. i'm not believing this until after the deadline rolls thru, though. i can't imagine someone that is an admitted life long Yankees fan would ultimately decide against signing, especially since if he elects to go to UCLA he will have to wait 3 more years to cash in. the possibility of an injury at college would also loom large to me. plus, with his talent he has a chance to go through their system pretty quickly. i have to think this is just a negotiation ploy but who knows.

[BRONXBOMBERS06]

Boros is hooked onto everyone, damn

[The Q Bomb]

Is this the kid who made a big deal out of being a Yankee fan as his family stayed at The Ritz Carlton and issued statements after he was sgned?

[ajra21]

Boros is hooked onto everyone, damn

apparentl boras had nothing to do with this. he would have wanted cole to sign with the yankees but cole completely changed his mind. i remember reading an artical by BA saying cole was a certain to sign rather than go to college. people change their minds. it's damn annoying but you have to move on.

[YESSIR!]

So is this like officially over now?
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/...=.jsp&c_id=nyy

[Tabata]

Keep your pants on people. It's not official until after the dealline.

[23jordan]

I don't understand it....If I was his father I'd tell him to sign now! How many people get a chance to make that kind of money? If he gets hurt in college and is never able to pitch again he gets NOTHING! If he gets hurt in the pros he can still go to college afterward and keep the money! I don't understand...

[Tabata]

I don't understand it....If I was his father I'd tell him to sign now! How many people get a chance to make that kind of money? If he gets hurt in college and is never able to pitch again he gets NOTHING! If he gets hurt in the pros he can still go to college afterward and keep the money! I don't understand...

His father may actually be the one telling him to go to College if this is actually true.

[ppa79]

His father may actually be the one telling him to go to College if this is actually true.

I guess his father isn't that bright then. If he can get 4-5 million dollars now he should take it. Worst case, if it doesn't work out, you can still go to college later, but you'll be going there 4-5 million dollars richer.

[Tabata]

I guess his father isn't that bright then. If he can get 4-5 million dollars now he should take it. Worst case, if it doesn't work out, you can still go to college later, but you'll be going there 4-5 million dollars richer.

I still think he's going to sign, but if he doesn't and this is all true, maybe we were better off without him in the long run.

[4bronxbombers]

Damn Boras....

[ppa79]

Damn Boras....

If he goes to college, Boras gets nothing. If I were Boras, I would want this guy to sign to I would get my cut.

[Yankee Fan in Boston]

If he goes to college, Boras gets nothing. If I were Boras, I would want this guy to sign to I would get my cut.

Anyone think Boras is making the Yankees sweat a little extra after the A-Rod situation?

[NYDCYankee]

Damn Boras....

Honestly, I don't think we can blame Boras.

I also don't think it's over either. Oppenheimer said they are still "working on it".

[justinvarnes]

(opens up Pandora's box)

Remember: you hear what you are supposed to hear.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

If we don't sign Cole and the Sox sign Meyer, I'm going to go ape poopie.

[Bambino22]

Madness.

[msw6880]

I don't think there's any way the Sox end up signing Meyer.

[fivevsone]

If he is really turning down 4-5M, then that really is a stupid decision. If the Yanks are offering 1-2M, then going to college for 3 years may make sense. Of course, if he is a Yankee fan, and has some desire to play in NY, then going to college pretty much forecloses that option.

We shall see.

[ppa79]

If he is really turning down 4-5M, then that really is a stupid decision. If the Yanks are offering 1-2M, then going to college for 3 years may make sense. Of course, if he is a Yankee fan, and has some desire to play in NY, then going to college pretty much forecloses that option.

We shall see.

I agree. 4-5 million dollars is a lot of money to turn down.

You can go to college anytime, however, an opportunity like this comes once in a lifetime.

[justtxyank]

All of you who are insulting him are being unreasonable. He isn't obligated to sign with the Yankees, he gets to make a choice. If the money isn't the most important thing to him, so be it. That gets to be his call. If there is a certain dollar amount that it takes to get him to give up college, so be it. None of you were/are superstar athletes on college campuses. He will be. At UCLA. In California. With California girls. And a beach. Bikinis.

GET THE PICTURE? His choice was signing with the Yankees or being the big man on campus. If he doesn't need the money, more power to him!

[ieddyi]

All of you who are insulting him are being unreasonable. He isn't obligated to sign with the Yankees, he gets to make a choice. If the money isn't the most important thing to him, so be it. That gets to be his call. If there is a certain dollar amount that it takes to get him to give up college, so be it. None of you were/are superstar athletes on college campuses. He will be. At UCLA. In California. With California girls. And a beach. Bikinis.

GET THE PICTURE? His choice was signing with the Yankees or being the big man on campus. If he doesn't need the money, more power to him!

I can't imagine too amny people having so much money that 4-5M won't matter

IF he goes to school, best case scenario after his junior year he MIGHT get the same money and it probably won't be with the Yanks

Worst case, he blows out his arm and gets nothing

Maybe we're better off, if we sign him he'll probably need TJ surgery the next month

[ppa79]

If the yanks are offering 4-5 million, he has more to lose than gain by going to college.

[justtxyank]

Only if the money is what matters most to him. We don't know his financial situation. You guys aren't able to separate that you are fans of the team he is spurning. Odds are he will still be drafted in a few years, but he gets to live the college life he apparently wants to live if he doesn't. If there is a certain dollar amount that he will require to give that up, more power to him.

[ppa79]

Only if the money is what matters most to him. We don't know his financial situation. You guys aren't able to separate that you are fans of the team he is spurning. Odds are he will still be drafted in a few years, but he gets to live the college life he apparently wants to live if he doesn't. If there is a certain dollar amount that he will require to give that up, more power to him.

Odds are in a few years he won't be in the same position that he is now to demand what he wants. His value is huge now, he risks losing it if he goes to college, he can blow out his arm, he can have control problems, anything can happen.

There are very few Mark Priors out there, former 1st rounders who increased their stock by going to college instead.

[THEBOSS84]

We all heard that he was supposedly immature. He may want to party like a frat boy instead of traveling like a low minor leaguer.

[ppa79]

We all heard that he was supposedly immature. He may want to party like a frat boy instead of traveling like a low minor leaguer.

You can still party while being in the minors.

[Jasbro]

You can still party while being in the minors.

Especially with $4mm in the bank.

[Yankee Tripper]

Especially with $4mm in the bank.

Just ask Josh Hamilton.

He if he signs great, if not I'm not going to lose sleep over it.

[OhioYankee]

I think education is important but I could not give up millions and go to college instead. I worked a full time job right out of high school and completed my college education at the same time. If education is important you can do both and have some fun too. College is not that tough and I thought it was a lot easier than high school. Some college degrees are a cake walk compared to mine and I am sure he could work on his college degree while in the minors and get millions.

[primetime714]

We all heard that he was supposedly immature. He may want to party like a frat boy instead of traveling like a low minor leaguer.

I imagine that would be the reason. I hate his decision but looking back on college experiences and now life in the workforce I can't entirely blame him. However I was never offered 4-5M to give that up and start my career in my dream job like he is. Would it be worth the risk? I doubt it. However personally I think this kid is just so arrogant that he thinks he can have his cake and eat it too (i.e. go to college, have fun, play baseball, and make millions afterwards) without truly realizing the risk he is undertaking.

[yarosh25]

I haven't seen anybody mention this, so I'll ask this question: If you were undecided whether to go to college or turn pro, and it's not about the money, why would you hire Scott Boras as your agent. He is known as an agent that gets his clients the most money. If you have all this money, where you can afford ta pass up Yankees offer for college, then you don't have to hire a money shark like Boras.

[ieddyi]

I haven't seen anybody mention this, so I'll ask this question: If you were undecided whether to go to college or turn pro, and it's not about the money, why would you hire Scott Boras as your agent. He is known as an agent that gets his clients the most money. If you have all this money, where you can afford ta pass up Yankees offer for college, then you don't have to hire a money shark like Boras.

Bingo

[THEBOSS84]

I haven't seen anybody mention this, so I'll ask this question: If you were undecided whether to go to college or turn pro, and it's not about the money, why would you hire Scott Boras as your agent. He is known as an agent that gets his clients the most money. If you have all this money, where you can afford ta pass up Yankees offer for college, then you don't have to hire a money shark like Boras.

He is undecided. Why not have the ultimate choice of going to college OR getting the best deal possible from the Yankees? Even if you have money, that doesn't mean you wouldn't want the best deal possible.

[Yankees47]

He is undecided. Why not have the ultimate choice of going to college OR getting the best deal possible from the Yankees? Even if you have money, that doesn't mean you wouldn't want the best deal possible.

True...But its 5 Million from reportedly his FAVORITE team...He is a 1st round pick by the Yankees who usually are willing to pay draft picks more than anyone because they have more money than anyone...And abuot him partying at frats sure he can do that but lets remember he is a baseball player at UCLA which is probably a big deal but its not like this kid is going to play QB at USC or Notre Dame or go play point guard for North Carolina...Baseball players at least in college arent viewed like some football and basketball players from HUGE programs are....Like I have said before I can understand if he was an 8th round pick and said Hey I can do better I can be a 1st ruond pick if I went to college or if he said man I Just got drafted by the Cleveland Indians and honestly I really dont like their franchise and they are going to try to lowball me into taking a deal with less money...But the Yankees??? Especially since he grew up loving them shocks me that he would turn it down...Take the money kid because if you get hurt u may never get another chance

[CaptainCargo]

I haven't seen anybody mention this, so I'll ask this question: If you were undecided whether to go to college or turn pro, and it's not about the money, why would you hire Scott Boras as your agent. He is known as an agent that gets his clients the most money. If you have all this money, where you can afford ta pass up Yankees offer for college, then you don't have to hire a money shark like Boras.

[Spiker101]

I haven't seen anybody mention this, so I'll ask this question: If you were undecided whether to go to college or turn pro, and it's not about the money, why would you hire Scott Boras as your agent. .

The answer is you wouldn't. This all just the usual tough Boras negotiation. I haven't been that high on the Yanks organization for some time now but even they're not stupid enough to waste a No. 1 pick on a guy who might choose college over the pros.