Gators looking better than Padres

Money matters, and for now college appeals more than MLB to Alonso grad Tommy Toledo.

By JOEY KNIGHT
Published July 17, 2007

TAMPA - His negotiations with the San Diego Padres at a current standstill, former Alonso ace Tommy Toledo said Monday he "wouldn't have any problems" honoring his scholarship to the University of Florida.

The Padres' third-round pick in last month's big league draft, Toledo still has a month to negotiate with the club, which so far hasn't offered him enough money to sway him from UF. Clubs must sign all their draft choices - except college seniors - by Aug. 15.

"Everything's been doing okay, we're just waiting to see if we can get another offer," said Toledo, named last season's Saladino Award winner as Hillsborough County's top senior player. "But if it doesn't happen it doesn't happen."

Toledo's dad, Pete, was less diplomatic Monday, saying the Padres' current offer "is not enough to jeopardize our son's schooling." The average signing bonus for the draft's 117th pick, where Toledo was drafted, over the past four years is $225,000.

"They came pretty close to that number actually," said Tommy Toledo, a right-hander who posted a 1.01 ERA in 76 innings last season. "Right now we're still waiting to see if we can get another offer."

Obtaining a higher figure seems unlikely at a time when Major League Baseball is attempting to drive signing bonuses down.

According to Baseball America, the first 13 first-round picks to sign this year inked deals at or below 90 percent of the amount given to players drafted in those slots last year. Toledo's advisor, former big-league pitcher Jim Bullinger, said the Padres' initial offer was 20 percent lower than the player's slot value, but eventually increased.

Toledo said he speaks once a week with new Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan, hired in June after the dismissal of former coach Pat McMahon. Should he opt for school, his roommate would be ex-Alonso teammate Chris Freshcorn, recently signed by the Gators.

But he is not surrendering hope on working things out with the Padres. Bullinger said any potential headway in negotiations likely would come right around the signing deadline.

"I think the Padres understand they may have a Jake Peavy under their control at this point and they don't want to let him go," said Bullinger, referring to the Padres' current ace. "We'll see how it goes. We have time."

Joey Knight can be reached at (813) 226-3350 or jknight@sptimes.com.

[Last modified July 16, 2007, 22:34:48]