LSU pitcher Alex Lange was selected in the first round, 30th overall, by the Chicago Cubs in last month’s amateur draft. A baseball players dream, to be drafted by a Major League team, and the opportunity to join one of the game’s best franchises.
But all of that could be delayed for the 21-year-old Lange.
According to multiple reports, there was an issue in Lange’s physical. Because of that issue, the Cubs are now offering less than the slotted $2,184,300 for the 30th pick.
“The sides continue to talk about a deal that would presumably be less than the slot bonus value of $2,184,300 for the No. 30 pick”, league sources told FanRag Sports.
The power righty that features a devastating curve was 10-5 with a 2.97 ERA as the Tigers ace last season, his junior year. Alex can decide too return for his senior season if the two sides cannot come to an agreement by 5 PM today.
If he returns to LSU, it might not leave the Cubs empty handed. The Cubs can offer him a large percentage of the slot to retain their rights to be awarded a compensatory pick.
Lange may elect to agree to terms with Chicago as there’s no guarantee he would be able to regain that slot money. While returning to LSU is a large bargaining chip he gets to use, if he underperforms he will lose his negotiation chip and could potentially lose more than a million dollars if he falls in the draft.
Falling in the draft isn’t out of the question either. Thought to be a top 10 pick early in his college career, his underwhelming sophomore campaign hurt his stock. While regaining some off his value, would he bet on himself again?