Do you remember back in 2007 when there was this big right handed phenom who could reach triple digits, and be major league ready in a year? His name was Andrew Brackman, a Boras client, and its now looking like Boras sold Cashman a used car at new car prices without the $4500 clunker discount. Brackman was certainly worth a chance, even though Cashman knew he would need surgery as soon as he signed. Well, at least I hope he knew that. Anyways, Cashman signed Brackman to a 4 year $4.55 million major league contract back then. A major league contract? Yes, a major league contract. This means that the Yankees have to carry Brackman on the 40-man roster and he gets to accumulate major league service time without actually throwing any pitches at the major league level. So far, Brackman has about a year of service time under his belt, and hasn't thrown a pitch above Class A. What does this mean? Well, it basically means that he will be a major league free agent much sooner than he should be. Brackman has about half as much service time as Melky Cabrera, who is playing his third season in the majors. That seems wrong, no?
But its not just that. Currently, Brackman is playing for the Charleston RiverDogs and holds a 1-12 record with a 6.52 ERA, and it appears that he's been pitching in relief of late. He did strike out 94 batters in 96.2 innings, but he also walked 76. Now this wouldn't be all that concerning to me if he was just another prospect working out the kinks. But Brackman isn't just another prospect. He was supposed to be big league ready by this year. We probably won't even see him until 2011, and by then he'll have 3 years of major league service under his belt, holding onto a spot on the 40 man roster. What was Cashman thinking? Did he just accept the first deal Boras gave him?
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I believe the exact wording on Brackman's contract was he would be paid the amount of money Boras could find in the cushions of the couch over a four year period. There just happened to be $4.55 million in there.
It was George's couch after all.
I don't know where you heard that he was supposed to be ML ready this year. When Brackman was drafted, it was extremely evident that he was very much a project.
He did not have that much success at NC State, and was more projection than anything else.
The fact is, signing top draft picks is always a gamble. This one looks like it won't pay off, but remember he is just recovering from TJS and the full recovery usually takes 24 months. You can see my thoughts on Brackman's year here:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/234365-is-yankees-pitching-prospect-andrew-brackman-already-a-bust
-Greg F.
My impression around the time he was signed was that the reason they gave him a major league contract was that they expected him to be pitching in the major leagues relatively soon after. He was definitely a project, but they thought the project would be wrapped up by now.
The original plan was for him to start in Tampa. I don't think there was anyone who realistically expected him to move up, except maybe to Trenton for a cameo if he had pitched well.
You have to remember, this is a guy who is recovering from Tommy John Surgery. To expect him to be in AA or AAA at this point with his relative lack of experience was very optimistic.
That said, his line in Charleston on the season is very discouraging.
Yeah, what you say makes sense, but if that was the plan all along, then Cashman really made a mistake signing him to a major league contract. Especially knowing about the Tommy John ahead of time. I mean, unless he really catches fire here, we're realistically talking about a 2011 appearance at the earliest. I don't see him going from a devastating season at Single A Charleston to a September call up in 2010.
Did anybody not see this coming?
The big money for highschool and college kids is the bigest waste of money in a business that loves to throw money away. The gulf between amature and professional baseball is much, much bigger than in any other sport.
That kid from Nevada is going to get a contract that makes this kid's look like pocket change.
And I'd feel safe putting up a bet that he never hits a fair ball in a major league game.
Speaking of great contracts, howzbout Santana? Damn.
(Of course, he my have just seen a way out of the Metropolitan Zoo.)
Joe
I have to agree with you Joe. I wouldn't be all that surprised if that Strasburg kid didn't live up to the hype.
As for Santana, Cashman looks real good on that now.
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