Prior to this evening’s game against Houston, the Baltimore Orioles extended their top prospect, Samuel Basallo. He signed an eight-year extension worth approximately $67.5 million dollars – could balloon up to $88 million. He’s played four games in the big leagues.
Which is why this move is curious. Boston extended Roman Anthony earlier this season after about a month. This is even less playing time than that. I’ll grant that Basallo looks as good as advertised. But there’s a huge risk involved for the team.
It goes without saying that the team assumes some risk in that Basallo could get injured. Granted, it also shows a level of commitment by the organization and by Basallo. So it goes both ways. You only hope it works out.
You also have to hope that this doesn’t start a trend in MLB. I think it’s a bad idea to give someone this young as much money as Basallo’s getting. I suppose the flip side is that it shows the organization is committed to winning in the future. Time will tell.
Birdland Crush 