Comments on: 2011 Draft Day Two: Pirates Make Another Big Splash in 2nd Round

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:22:00 +0000

I have to disagree to an extent. I do believe that education has value other than what job it gets you. Being intellectually enriched goes well beyond one’s salary. However, this education can be had at any point in life. If I were a young stud prospect, I would definitely want to get my career started as early as possible.

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:52:00 +0000

I agree. Very risky to turn down the money. Not a lot of room to improve, and plenty of opportunities to see his stock drop.

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:51:00 +0000

This isn’t an “education or sports” debate. Education has a value, but only as a learning tool. The only purpose is to get a better job. In Bell’s case, he’s not just going to play sports. He’s going to work. It’s sports to you and me, but it’s a job to him.

It’s no different than if an accounting firm came to you out of high school and offered you $3 M. Do you go to college to get an education, or do you accept the job with the big up-front bonus? In that scenario, anyone would be a fool to go to college. I just don’t see why it’s different when the job is playing baseball.

Aside from that, if you’re turning down life changing money just to get a piece of paper and some extra knowledge, that’s also foolish. If that’s all he’s going for, he can just take night classes, and work on his degree on the side. Or, if his baseball career doesn’t work out, he can do that later, and not have to worry about what he will do next in life.

By: Steve Zielinski

Steve Zielinski — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:24:00 +0000

It’s possible that Bell and his family value education for the sake of having an education and for becoming an educated person. It might also be true that Bell really hit it big in the genetic lottery: He’s not only an exceptional athlete, he’s also brilliant. He might, given his natural and social endowments, value an education more than he would the enormous among of money he will command if he chooses to sign with the Pirates. If he does personally value an education more than the money, going to the university to study would be a rational choice for him.

On the other hand, the economic situation in the country is not especially bright. The real unemployment rate is exceptionally high. It will remain high for the foreseeable future. College graduates now face and will continue to face a slack labor market that is definetely not a social mechanism designed to reward the talented for having their talents.

Life is often insecure for those living within this kind of economic environment. Playing baseball can give Bell that degree of personal security that others can only dream about. Even signing his initial contract with the Pirates can give him that degree of personal security if Bell wisely invests the money.

I personally value education more than sports. But I’d tell Josh Bell to sign the best contract he can wring from the Pirates. Playing professional baseball is likely to be the best job Josh Bell ever will have, and it pays well. The Pirates are willing to enrich Josh Bell just to make the effort to rise to the Major Leagues. This can be a positive sum game for him and the team.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:08:00 +0000

Great info Tim. Amazing you can dig all that up on these players!
As for Bell, I sure hope we can get him. Obviously he and his family know what is best for him, but the UT isn’t going anywhere and a chance to play pro ball and get millions to do it isn’t guaranteed in the future.
How can Bell expect (as is figured) $6+ million? Even if he was picked around #15, he wouldn’t get that kind of money (maybe I’m wrong). My guess it is just posturing. If you don’t want to be drafted don’t bother to hire an agent, let alone Scott Boras.
For every Gerrit Cole that improves his stock after getting drafted high and turns down a nice pay-day, I’d guess there are 5 other Matt Purke’s who see their stock and draft position drop and find out 3-4 years later they should have taken the money and run the first time around.

By: Lee Young

Lee Young — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:52:00 +0000

Tim……..nice summary. Thanks for the good work!

By: Lee Young

Lee Young — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:51:00 +0000

Like Allie last year, I am cautiously optimistic.

I read where our #3, Dickerson, will sign quickly.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:28:00 +0000

Great piece on Josh Bell -It took alot of balls for the Pirates to draft him – I care more about this pick than Cole – I gotta feeling that we will sign Bell -Btw, I love his strikeout to at-bat ratio this year