Article Rays, Beckham agree to deal that includes $6.15M signing bonus - The Postgame Pub

**Phistar** · 06-20-2008, 05:40 AM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tim Beckham used one word to describe how it felt to walk into the Tampa Bay Rays clubhouse and spot a jersey with his name on the back hanging in a locker next to established major leaguers.

"Sweet," the talented high school shortstop from Griffin, Ga., said Thursday.

The Rays were all smiles, too, after taking just two weeks to sign the No. 1 pick in this month's baseball draft.

Beckham agreed to a contract that includes a $6.15 million signing bonus. He will join older brother Jeremy -- a second baseman selected in the 17th round -- in beginning his pro career with Tampa Bay's Rookie League affiliate in Princeton, W.Va.

"This is what I've been wishing for my whole life. It's a dream come true," Beckham said prior to slipping on a uniform and taking batting practice before the Rays played the Chicago Cubs at Tropicana Field.

Both sides thought speedy negotiations were imperative so Beckham could get started in the minor leagues as soon as possible. The Rays also had the No. 1 pick last year, but didn't sign David Price until mid-August -- too late for the hard-throwing left-hander to pitch in the minors last season.

Beckham's minor league deal is worth less than the $11.25 million, six-year major league contract that Price signed in 2007.

Price, currently at Class-A Vero Beach, received a $5.6 million signing bonus and is guaranteed $8.5 million as part of his deal.

"We did as much homework as we could," Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. "Getting him out and playing right away was incredibly important to us, and everything we got back was that it was important to them as well."

The Rays signed Jeremy Beckham, an infielder out of Georgia Southern, five days after the draft and he is already playing at Princeton.

Tim will report on Sunday, then take a few days to get into baseball shape before making his debut.

He can't wait to be reunited with his brother. He credits Jeremy for rekindling his passion for baseball after the 18-year-old gave up the sport for three years to concentrate on his other love, basketball.

"It's very special. He's a big inspiration in my life," Tim said. "He's why I'm here today."

Beckham is the third high school shortstop taken No. 1 overall in the last five years, joining Justin Upton (Arizona, 2005) and Matt Bush (San Diego, 2004).

He batted .482 with six homers, 13 doubles and 41 RBIs as a senior after establishing himself as the nation's top prospect with stellar performances at last summer's high school showcase events.

The Rays, who have one of the youngest rosters in baseball and are off to the best start in franchise history, stress they don't have a timetable for Tim Beckham reaching the majors. He's not placing any undue pressure on himself, either.

"I'm ready to just play. ... This is what I love to do. I'll just keep giving 110 percent every day in practice and on the field, and we'll see how long it takes," said Beckham, who felt comfortable settling into a locker next to one occupied by B.J. Upton.

"It's exciting. It's not overwhelming at all," he said. "It's a crazy feeling right now. I can't really put it into words."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

DLow28 · 06-20-2008, 08:14 AM

I'm so happy the Rays signed him so early. The Rays are working on getting him in a uni and developing him in a hurry. It looks like the Rays are trying their hardest to get this great young talent and keep it for once (ie: Scott Kazmir's new contract, Tim Beckham, David Price, new contracts to come along with the new stadium!)

I can't wait to see David Price and him in the bigs

**SouthernWebb04** · 06-20-2008, 11:35 AM

Good to see this guy able to go out and play ASAP, and they've done all the contract work already. I expect pretty big things from him eventually. You think he's bummed out b/c he got drafted by Tampa Bay...thinking Florida...and has to play in the WVA minors.

Canadaleaf · 06-22-2008, 08:13 AM

tb has some great young propspects and look what there doing this year wait for next year and a few years after that there going to be an insane team

06-20-2008, 05:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Phistar Scream My Name! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 5,517 vCash: 102415 Donate PSN Gamertag: phister Rep Power: 127 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	Rays, Beckham agree to deal that includes $6.15M signing bonus ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tim Beckham used one word to describe how it felt to walk into the Tampa Bay Rays clubhouse and spot a jersey with his name on the back hanging in a locker next to established major leaguers. "Sweet," the talented high school shortstop from Griffin, Ga., said Thursday. The Rays were all smiles, too, after taking just two weeks to sign the No. 1 pick in this month's baseball draft. Beckham agreed to a contract that includes a $6.15 million signing bonus. He will join older brother Jeremy -- a second baseman selected in the 17th round -- in beginning his pro career with Tampa Bay's Rookie League affiliate in Princeton, W.Va. "This is what I've been wishing for my whole life. It's a dream come true," Beckham said prior to slipping on a uniform and taking batting practice before the Rays played the Chicago Cubs at Tropicana Field. Both sides thought speedy negotiations were imperative so Beckham could get started in the minor leagues as soon as possible. The Rays also had the No. 1 pick last year, but didn't sign David Price until mid-August -- too late for the hard-throwing left-hander to pitch in the minors last season. Beckham's minor league deal is worth less than the $11.25 million, six-year major league contract that Price signed in 2007. Price, currently at Class-A Vero Beach, received a $5.6 million signing bonus and is guaranteed $8.5 million as part of his deal. "We did as much homework as we could," Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. "Getting him out and playing right away was incredibly important to us, and everything we got back was that it was important to them as well." The Rays signed Jeremy Beckham, an infielder out of Georgia Southern, five days after the draft and he is already playing at Princeton. Tim will report on Sunday, then take a few days to get into baseball shape before making his debut. He can't wait to be reunited with his brother. He credits Jeremy for rekindling his passion for baseball after the 18-year-old gave up the sport for three years to concentrate on his other love, basketball. "It's very special. He's a big inspiration in my life," Tim said. "He's why I'm here today." Beckham is the third high school shortstop taken No. 1 overall in the last five years, joining Justin Upton (Arizona, 2005) and Matt Bush (San Diego, 2004). He batted .482 with six homers, 13 doubles and 41 RBIs as a senior after establishing himself as the nation's top prospect with stellar performances at last summer's high school showcase events. The Rays, who have one of the youngest rosters in baseball and are off to the best start in franchise history, stress they don't have a timetable for Tim Beckham reaching the majors. He's not placing any undue pressure on himself, either. "I'm ready to just play. ... This is what I love to do. I'll just keep giving 110 percent every day in practice and on the field, and we'll see how long it takes," said Beckham, who felt comfortable settling into a locker next to one occupied by B.J. Upton. "It's exciting. It's not overwhelming at all," he said. "It's a crazy feeling right now. I can't really put it into words." Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press __________________

06-20-2008, 08:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
DLow28 PGP Moderator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 108 vCash: 3681 Donate My Blog: From The Panhandle Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 3	Re: Rays, Beckham agree to deal that includes $6.15M signing bonus I'm so happy the Rays signed him so early. The Rays are working on getting him in a uni and developing him in a hurry. It looks like the Rays are trying their hardest to get this great young talent and keep it for once (ie: Scott Kazmir's new contract, Tim Beckham, David Price, new contracts to come along with the new stadium!) I can't wait to see David Price and him in the bigs __________________

06-20-2008, 11:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
SouthernWebb04 You Want It, I Got It Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 381 vCash: 2767 Donate XBL Gamertag: SouthernDip Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 8	Re: Rays, Beckham agree to deal that includes $6.15M signing bonus Good to see this guy able to go out and play ASAP, and they've done all the contract work already. I expect pretty big things from him eventually. You think he's bummed out b/c he got drafted by Tampa Bay...thinking Florida...and has to play in the WVA minors. __________________ TotalSportsWorld.net The Number One Sports Sim Community

06-22-2008, 08:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Canadaleaf Huge Baseball Fan! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 68 vCash: 1398 Donate Rep Power: 2	Re: Rays, Beckham agree to deal that includes $6.15M signing bonus tb has some great young propspects and look what there doing this year wait for next year and a few years after that there going to be an insane team __________________ Goal Line Blitz Football game ^referral link help me out but you got to play for a day(just make a player and check on him next day) to help me out, but it is a fun game so give it a try