Rasmussen and Rays can't reach a deal..

They "technically" do not have to "find" anything. Once Razz did not submit to the pre-draft MRI the Rays had an out. The MRI can be interpreted in many ways but their staff physician to get "failed MRI". The Rays were playing the system to the max by "over drafting" Razz with no intention of ever giving him slot or close to slot $$. This allowed for reallocation of funds (which is allowed despite claims above) which is a common practice (as I was chided for mentioning in the KJ thread). That is why you draft him Top 50, otherwise this rule and the implications do not take effect.

As I mentioned in earlier threads, if Razz was healthy you'd have seen him pitch much more later in the season, post season, AND would have submitted to a pre-draft MRI. I believe he may have been duped/used into believing that pitching was going to raise his draft stock. My scout buds said there was no way Razz would be drafted in the top 200 (for $ considerations) without a positive MRI. Then when the Rays used the #31 on him even though he really never pitched it was obvious he was not truly in their plans. Which left Razz and family to find they were not really interested in anything but that same pick in 2018.

So... he could sign for "nothing", or opt back to school and take the chance he gets more $$ with less leverage (and a healthy MRI). People do not realize what a "meat market" the MLB draft is for pitchers. Everyone gets the injuries and short careers associated with the NFL, but pitchers in the MLB system are used/abused pawns to fill out rosters/innings while very few actually get to the Bigs. The new rule on the Top 50 is there to protect teams from the undisclosed (to the team and even the players themselves might not be fully aware) injuries many pitchers have from over use/underdevelopment. It's a shame of sorts, but the "injured' pitcher being drafted in the Top 50 for the sake of slot $ reallocation could be a common occurrence. The Rays just played the "game".

They "technically" do not have to "find" anything. Once Razz did not submit to the pre-draft MRI the Rays had an out. The MRI can be interpreted in many ways but their staff physician to get "failed MRI". The Rays were playing the system to the max by "over drafting" Razz with no intention of ever giving him slot or close to slot $$. This allowed for reallocation of funds (which is allowed despite claims above) which is a common practice (as I was chided for mentioning in the KJ thread). That is why you draft him Top 50, otherwise this rule and the implications do not take effect.

As I mentioned in earlier threads, if Razz was healthy you'd have seen him pitch much more later in the season, post season, AND would have submitted to a pre-draft MRI. I believe he may have been duped/used into believing that pitching was going to raise his draft stock. My scout buds said there was no way Razz would be drafted in the top 200 (for $ considerations) without a positive MRI. Then when the Rays used the #31 on him even though he really never pitched it was obvious he was not truly in their plans. Which left Razz and family to find they were not really interested in anything but that same pick in 2018.

So... he could sign for "nothing", or opt back to school and take the chance he gets more $$ with less leverage (and a healthy MRI). People do not realize what a "meat market" the MLB draft is for pitchers. Everyone gets the injuries and short careers associated with the NFL, but pitchers in the MLB system are used/abused pawns to fill out rosters/innings while very few actually get to the Bigs. The new rule on the Top 50 is there to protect teams from the undisclosed (to the team and even the players themselves might not be fully aware) injuries many pitchers have from over use/underdevelopment. It's a shame of sorts, but the "injured' pitcher being drafted in the Top 50 for the sake of slot $ reallocation could be a common occurrence. The Rays just played the "game".