Panic ensued in Baltimore when Orioles first round draft pick Kevin Gausman told reporters that his heart was still with LSU.
I called this a negotiating tactic, as Gausman would be leaving roughly $4.2 million on the table to return to college for his senior year and reports today indicate that this thinking is indeed correct.
MASNSports.com’s Steve Melewski writes that an Orioles source indicated that the team is “still feel pretty confident” that they will get a deal done with Gausman. The O’s have reportedly offered him a new deal, though details of that contract have not yet been revealed.
Gausman is the highest-drafted player remaining that has not signed a contract. Melewski points out that the player selected before him, catcher Mike Zunino, signed a $5.2 million bonus with the Mariners.
I still think the deal gets done. We’ll find out on Friday at 5 PM.
