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The Nationals have put two of their three remaining big-ticket draft picks in their shopping cart, signing second-round pick Sammy Solis and fourth-rounder A.J. Cole, according to a report from Baseball America.
The magazine reported the Nationals gave Solis, a left-hander from the University of San Diego, a $1 million bonus, and broke a fourth-round record by awarding a $2 million bonus to Cole, a high school righty from Oviedo (Fla.) High School.
They also had 12th-rounder Robbie Ray in for a visit yesterday, hoping to convince him to sign with them rather than attending the University of Arkansas. And negotiations with No. 1 overall pick Bryce Harper are expected to come down to Monday's deadline.
Rizzo apparently called Jim Callis to deny that any deals were finalized. Callis stands by his sources. What do you think is motivating Rizzo? Is MLB upset about the (way) over slot deals? Is he trying not to hurt negotiations with Ray an Harper? Seems like something's up if he took the time to personally deny te report.
Cole is Right handed Ben and RIzzo motivation is to keep MLB and Bud S from taking away any hope of an All Star Game in the next 10 years. MLB hates to clubs that go over slot and it really really hates teams that make that public before the deadline.