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http://www.baseballamerica.com.....hp?team=SD

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Q: Ryan from Houston asks:
What exactly happens to teams that sign guys for over slot value? Do they get punished or something by MLB?

A: Jim Callis: You can’t be directly punished if you go through the mandated process. If you want to sign a guy over slot, you have to tell MLB. You have to explain why it’s a good move. Then MLB, much like David Spade in those phone commericals, says “NO!” Then you say you want to do it anyway, and MLB tries to lean on your owner. Now, if you’re a small-revenue owner and you’re hoping Bud Selig will give you an All-Star game or some discretionary funds, you might fall in line. Otherwise, MLB can’t really do much to you.

… so now you know!

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http://www.baseballamerica.com.....64243.html

Says Porcello may go to UNC … and … then there’s this Q&A …

Q: Kevin from San Diego asks:
Down here in San Diego we are up in arms. This was seemingly the year to completely restock our system. Instead of mixing in some high ceiling talent (with 8 of the 1st 87) we picked a bunch of guys who are sure bets to help their teams win Northwest and Arizona league titles, but will never produce above A-ball. I mean, c’mon, Brad Chalk, Cory Luebke??!! What is wrong with these guys? It’s no wonder they NEVER produce impact players.

A: John Manuel: Kevin I was disappointed in some ways by the Padres’ low-ceiling approach, but when I looked deeper, I thought they did OK. Drew Cumberland’s hitting tool is in question, for Padres fans I hope he’s not another Drew Meyer (another middle infielder who couldn’t hit that Grady Fuson liked). If you’re going to take mostly college guys, they took some good ones–Kulbacki can really, really hit, and I love Canham and Sogard. Nick Schmidt is a typical Fuson pick, LHP with pitchability, and Grady’s track record remains pretty good. They diversified more than I thought at first glance with Cumberland and Toledo, a good idea.

… good stuff!

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Good news … all the Ducksnorters out at Petco to the Storm prelim game got to see Matt Antonelli poke a lead-off HR and Kyle Blanks follow that 2 outs later with another solo shot … 2-2 early … http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....a_lesafa_1

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