It’s a slot deal.
As the press filed into Fenway Park on Thursday prior to the series-opening game between Boston and New York, there were some hints about a potential deal coming together with first round pick Marcelo Mayer. The scoreboard wasn’t really hiding much of anything, and neither was Chaim Bloom out on the field. Of course, in today’s era of the draft it’s extremely rare for a first round pick to not sign, particularly one taken at four overall like Mayer, so there wasn’t a whole lot of doubt a deal would come together at some point. The real question was how much the deal would go for.
I can only speak for myself, but I had assumed when the Red Sox made the selection of Mayer, who many saw as the top overall prospect in the entire class, they would have to go a bit overslot to sign him. I wasn’t expecting anything too crazy, but perhaps an even $7 million, or $7.5 million, as opposed to the slot recommendation of about $6.6 million. As it turns out, they didn’t have to go over at all. Chad Jennings of The Athletic is reporting the team inked their first rounder to a deal for exactly slot value.
I’m told the Red Sox and Marcelo Mayer agreed on a contract at slot, which is — I believe — a little more than $6.6 million.
— Chad Jennings (@chadjennings22) July 22, 2021
Like I said, this comes as a surprise, and explains why the Red Sox were able to go through the rest of their draft without having to select too many college seniors. Of course, to be able to add Mayer to the farm system at any price would have been acceptable. The shortstop has a potential all-around skillset that can stick up the middle, and some believe he is instantly the top prospect in the organization.
As a reminder, you can keep track of all the signings with our draft tracker.
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