***UPDATED WITH CONTRACT DETAILS***
Here's some good news for the Nats as they prepare to open a six-game homestand: Josh Smoker, the 31st overall pick in this summer's draft, has signed. The club will hold a press conference at 4:30 p.m. to announce the deal.
Wasn't told exact contract terms, but a club source said Smoker got the same signing bonus as last year's No, 31 pick, Preston Mattingly, who multiple media outlets reported received $1 million. That would be slightly more than originally expected for Smoker, a little bit above "slot" for someone taken in his spot but certainly not out of line considering Smoker's talent -- he was projected to be drafted in the mid-first round but fell to 31 when clubs were worried he would be asking for too much and would possibly attend Clemson this fall instead.
The Nats were high on the 18-year-old left-hander all along, though, and Smoker seemed to indicate from the beginning he wanted to sign. It was important for the Nats to get this one done, even if they had to overspend just a bit, for a couple of reasons. First, Smoker appears to be legitimate first-round talent. Even if the Nats had decided not to sign him and accept pick 31B next summer, team officials didn't think they'd get as good a player.
Second, Smoker was one of the two compensation picks the Nats got for losing Alfonso Soriano to free agency. That shouldn't be disregarded. On July 31, 2006, Bowden explained that he didn't trade Soriano because no other team offered anything better than the two draft picks the Nats would get if Soriano walked at the end of the year. Given that, there was pressure to get Smoker signed. Now, we have tangible compensation for Soriano. Is essence, Washington traded him for Smoker and Jordan Zimmermann, a promising right-hander who was selected 67th overall and is currently pitching well for short-season Class A Vermont.
These two young pitchers will forever be linked with Soriano, and now fans have something to follow. Over the long haul, what would you rather have had: Alfonso Soriano in left field, or Josh Smoker and Jordan Zimmermann in the rotation? It will be several years before we know the final answer to that question. But at least now, we know exactly what the Nats got for the 40-40 man.
Comments (6)
Thanks Mark. Great stuff.
Posted by Brian | August 14, 2007 3:36 PM
Thanks for the scoop!
Posted by misschatter | August 14, 2007 3:37 PM
It's not just Soriano for those two. It's also the money saved, which can be used on another player(s). For example, the deal could be Soriano for Smoker, Zimmermann, and Adam Dunn.
Posted by John | August 14, 2007 3:39 PM
Right now we all wish we had Soriano, but by the time Smoker and Zimmerman hit the majors (2010-2012) it will seem like a no brainer. The Cubs are going to be saddled with the contract while after Soriano is any help winning games in Chicago.
Posted by estuartj | August 14, 2007 3:54 PM
I don't need several years for the answer: the Nationals had a chance at a table-setting lead-off man with power, which is pure gold and just as rare in the National League. He also could've provided the team with leadership and stability that could've helped the cause of developing from within, which the team seems to value - but onyl at a discount - via the re-signings of Young and Belliard.
The fact that Bowden kept referring to the 1st round compensation that the team was assured of getting only to have it not materialize shows how cluelessly the team approached the matter.
Posted by Wallace | August 14, 2007 3:56 PM
I don't agree, "that right now we all wish we had Soriano". The absence of Soriano is what led to the team we have today. Not that the team we have today is our final goal, but it allowed a team to form with different leaders.
If the Nats had played all season like they have since May 15th, they would be in the thick of a pennant race.
Don't understimate whats happening in the evolution of the Nationals team. I agree with John when he says the deal that was made for Soriano could be for more than J. Zimmerman and Smoker.
Sure, Bowden took a chance and things might still not work out... But I like what I see and I think Bowden is making the right moves. Put me down as somebody that thinks letting Soriano go thru Free Agency was the right move.
Winners take chances and make right choices. Losers either take chances and make wrong choices or they just play safe and end up just missing the playoffs.
A man that has the stones to take the chances and makes the right decisions is the man I want for GM. I think Bowden fills the bill.
Posted by Muddapucker | August 15, 2007 2:11 PM