May 19: Scouting Directors Expect Weaver, Drew To Sign
by Jim Callis

Though agent Scott Boras indicated three days ago (see below) that 2004 first-round picks Jered Weaver and Stephen Drew likely will re-enter the draft, multiple scouting directors contacted by Baseball America think that's just a negotiating ploy. Weaver, taken 12th by the Angels, has been offered either a $5.25 million big league contract or a $4 million bonus. Drew, who went 15th to the Diamondbacks, has yet to accept a major league package that would guarantee him $5.5 million and would swell to as much as $7.5 million with easily attainable incentives. There's been no indication that other teams are willing to approach those deals, and if Drew and Weaver don't come to terms it would hurt the signability of Boras' other seven clients with legitimate first-round aspirations in this year's draft. "They're going to sign," an American League scouting director said. "Scott's not dumb. He may say he thinks they're going to re-enter the draft, but I can almost guarantee they're going to sign. They have to. He's going to go to the last minute to get the last penny. That's just Negotiating 101 with Scott Boras."