Appel’s decision is a no-brainer

By Joe Starkey

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

http://triblive.com/sports/

June 17, 2012

Sure, Mark Appel could reject the Pirates’ multi-million-dollar offer and try a different avenue to the major leagues.

The eighth overall pick could return to Stanford for his senior season. He’d only be banking on good health, great numbers and going top-five in what promises to be a deeper talent pool next year.

Much luck with that.

Another alternative would be to try his hand at independent baseball before re-entering the draft. I’m sure the Washington Wild Things would build a wonderful promotional campaign around Appel. (Free cider for everyone!)

Or he could do the obvious: Admit that agent (sorry, “adviser”) Scott Boras dropped the ball, accept $3 million or so from the Pirates and join the workforce.

By all accounts, Appel, a right-handed pitcher, is an intelligent and humble person. One would assume he is not given to avarice or ill-advised decisions. He might just have to put that $3 million in the bank and prove himself to the point where the big league checks start rolling in.

To that end, he should heed the words of third-round pick Jon Sandfort, who signed for $462,900 instead of going to college.

“If you look at the big picture, this draft is just chump change,” Sandfort told 93.7 “The Fan.” “It’s all about getting to the big leagues. That’s where you make the real money.”

Boras despises the new capped draft system. He undoubtedly had visions of Appel garnering a $7 million-plus bonus near the top of the draft or perhaps dropping to a team that would try to bust the system wide open.

He lost that bet because Appel, while widely projected to be the top pick, simply isn’t that electrifying of a prospect and was seen as a difficult sign. Much credit to the Pirates for taking the chance at No. 8.

Boras must know he has neither the leverage nor a player prized enough to attempt to destroy the system this time around.

Then again, if you remember the Pedro Alvarez fiasco, you’re ready for anything. You wouldn’t be surprised if Boras ordered Appel to sign his deal in evaporating ink.

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/1978297-74/appel-draft-million-pirates-boras-pick-starkey-sign-system-fan

Joe Starkey co-hosts a show 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays on 93.7 “The Fan.” His columns appear Thursdays and Sundays. He can be reached at jraystarkey@gmail.com.