Draft Signing Deadline Looms

This year, as the deadline of 4 pm Friday approaches, the Twins are facing some drama. Their second choice, Kyle Cody, selected in Comp Round B with the 73rd overall pick - a pick worth $839,700 - remains unsigned.

Cody, who is compared frequently to Mike Pelfrey, entered the season as a potential first-round pick, but some mid-year struggles caused him to drop down some teams' draft boards.

Even with the struggles and subsequent drop down boards, both Cody and the Twins seemed destined to find common ground and get his professional career underway. Rumors had him accepting less than slot value as long as everything went smoothly in his physical.

Well, something didn't. Though Cody isn't physically injured, whatever turned up caused the team to drop their offer. It's unknown what the current offer is, but one thing is sure: It's not the three-quarters-million-plus that he would have likely gotten before.

This isn't without precedence: 2012 6th rounder Andre Martinez originally came to terms with the Twins for $260,000 - $60,000 over slot - before his physical showed something amiss with his left shoulder. Martinez and the Twins eventually signed for $80,000. Most of the savings then went to sign the aforementioned Larson. Martinez hasn't resurfaced since being released after one appearance for the AZL White Sox in 2014. His Twins career ended in 2013.

Both Cody and the Twins are in a difficult situation.

Cody could return to Kentucky and pitch his senior season. He would re-enter the 2016 draft with little leverage as well as having the whatever-is-wrong-with-him now black cloud hanging over his head. That is, as long as nothing else happens between now and then.

The Twins are in a better place, but still handcuffed to the bonus pool. If Cody goes unsigned, those dollars are lost but they'll be awarded the 74th pick in the 2016 draft. If he signs for less, they can re-invest that money into later draft picks... but only until Friday afternoon.

It seems as though the Twins are still hopeful a deal will still be reached, which appears to be the best-case scenario for all parties involved, though it's an unfortunate development for Kyle Cody.

The Twins remain engaged in talks with a handful of their other selections as well. Prep pitchers Kyle Wilson and Colton Eastman, as well as prep outfielder Jonathan Engelmann, haven't all completely ruled out turning professional.

Currently, the Twins sit $77,600 under slot, which means they could pay any of of the non-Top 10-round picks up to $177,600 without incurring any fines.

However, none of the prep trio mentioned above are expected to sign for less than a few hundred thousand dollars. Dollars that aren't available unless Cody signs for less than slot.

With only about 72 hours left until the deadline, drama remains. And for a Twins fan under these rules, that's different.