The Cubs are on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Their first round selection, Albert Almora, is a high school senior who has a full ride scholarship to Miami. As a Florida kid, Almora was excited to get a scholarship. However, he is also been on numerous Team USA squads and wants to play professional ball. His only leverage to get beyond the #6 slot bonus amount is say he won't sign and go to college.
Almora's agent is Scott Boras. He does not like the new CBA draft system. His other client, Stanford pitcher Appel, went from the #1 pick, turning down a $6 million bonus, to being selected #8 by Pittsburgh. Appel was made about the events. Boras was livid about the events. By dropping eight spots, the bonus money is about half. Appel also has the option to return to college for his final year.
So, some writers believe that Boras may make a stand and play hard ball with the Cubs on Almora. The Cubs really can't sign any of their Top 10 selections without first knowing if they can sign Almora.
On the upside, if the Cubs don't sign Almora, they lose the slot amount in their bonus pool for this year. But they get a compensation pick in next year's draft (at #6). So in theory, a bad Cubs 2012 could lead to having a #2 and #6 selection in the 2013 draft.
But the same signability issues will happen again next year.
