Alvarez, Scheppers have not agreed yet

Neener-Neener.

Any last minute thoughts, Dejan?

Booo !!!

Rocco is now reporting that Scheppers is just about signed.

maybe Rocco will take a break from his awful show...all he does is read stats, but he has no idea what any of them really mean.

This is drivin' me nuts.  I want Alvarez AND Scheppers and I want them now.  Somebody has to be assigned to the State College team before it sets an all time record for losses...

Gah!

It is not 100% official until you tell us it is DK!  Keep the updates coming this is good stuff.  Rocco will really be eating crow if the Alvarez signing does not become reality.

I'll say this for the PG servers - they haven't become constipated tonight like they did the afternoon of 7/31.

Not driving me nuts. It'll be driving me nuts in about 48 minutes.

Vote for Pedro!

Sorry, just saying that before it's used for Pedro Martinez tomorrow.

Hey, lets not bash Rocco.  He's one of the most dedicated Pirate fans we have.  Just because he likes stats a bit too much doesn't mean you should bash him.  I'm sure there's a lot of Rocco fans on this board.

I am also going a little bit nuts... I'm not saying that not signing Alvarez and/or Scheppers will end the PBC's future, but its feels like without them, we're starting a little further behind, yet again, and we just don't need that now.

Just in from Rocco: The Pirates have not yet signed Alvarez or Scheppers, but have come to an agreement with the Newark Bears to acquire Randall Simon.

  all but a done deal, major league contract with a 6.5 million signing bonus and some incentive bonus for mlb games played ,at bats and all star games until he reaches arbitration.IF HE'S ALL THAT THE PIRATES WILL PAY HIM....

I find Rocco enjoyable. He had some people on after the draft from BP who were pretty informative. Some people like stats - some trust what they see more. It's all in the person.

Say want you like about Rocco and his love of stats.  But don't say he doesn't know anything about baseball.  That's just being naive.

I like stats.  Rocco talks stats, but doesn't know what the sabermetrics really mean.  He consistently uses them in the wrong context.

I don't mean to bash him, I just don't think he is very knowledgeable.  

This blog is the best thing going for bucco info.

Get it done NH and FC.

Yup Big Time Rocco Fan here.

Big Time DK Fan , too.

Just Big Time Pirate Fan all around.

Okay, sorry Rutang.  It just seemed like you were taking a shot out of nowhere.  Thanks for clarifying.

Let's go Bucs!

Let's go Bucs!!

Let's go Bucs!!!

Let's go Bucs!!!!

This just in: Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo to replace Rocco on the radio!

dk = professional

rocco = idiot

I'm curious about the "mechanics" of the trade deadline.

Do they have to agree to terms by 12am?

Do they have to have a signed, completed contract by 12am?

What happens if there is an agreement but some snafu happens when these guys are waiting until 11:58, and what safeguards do teams/agents have in place to make sure they get it done in time?

Dk must feel like a trap shooter, shooting down the rumors as fast as they come.

Personally, I think Scheppers (he of the questionable health) would be nuts to walk away from the sure money that is on the table.

Speaking of nuts, raise your hand if you've checked this blog 10 or more times today! My hand is up.

I understand this has nothing to do with our PBC, but I figured sports fans in general would appreciate it.  In the midst of surfing the web and constantly clicking refresh, I hope some of you were tuning in to Michael Phelps winning that 7th gold.  That swim was absolutely unbelievable.  Coming from behind to win by .01 seconds.  Wow.  Alright, as I am obligated to say something about the Pirates too, Rocco, is now starting to take back what he said about Scheppers.

Tick, tick, tick...

If Sheppers does not sign, he must feel very confident he will return to perfect health. That's a pretty big risk to take. I wonder if he knows the history of all the Pirate 1st round drafted pitchers who crumbled due to injury...

How long past midnight will it take to be sure?

Well, they're two very, very, different jobs.  DK is a reporter whom we find very entertaining.  Rocco, is an entertainer who occasionally feels the need to do some reporting.

Rocco will be right about Alvarez.  Just wait and see.

Push! Push! Breath! Breath! Push! Push!  (delivery room metaphor)

10 times today, I've checked it ten times the last hour

Sheppers will go back fresno and try to up his stock for next years draft it makes no sense for him to sign for second round money, he had first round talent until he got hurt...ps hey if he has a good year , than we pay him first round money.

can't find the quote again, but someone called this something to the effect of clicking like some coke-addled chimp. Good Lord, this is addictive!

Keep up the great work Dejan!

I wonder who it is that is holding up the Scheppers deal, if it does not happen.

Is it the Pirates who are unhappy with the medical reports or is it Scheppers who wants more $$$?

Rocco seems like a nice guy, but is a mouthpiece for the team.  Period.

Very much appreciate the DK blog here and the updates.

Wonder who's advising Scheppers for him to think that he'll get more $ next year? Coming off a serious arm injury, I can't imagine that he'll be worth nearly as much next year. Oh well, his loss.

How long past the trade deadline did we have to wait to hear about Bay?  Of course, thanks to DK, not very long.

well said meestro

23 mins...

Major League Baseball needs to change its policy and allow teams like the Pirates to trade away the rights to players like Alvarez. Then, a large-market team that can afford to take a chance on a large bonus can deal with the negotiations while the Pirates get more established players and are still able to build. If you keep drafting high and are not willing to dole out the money, this is bound to happen over and over again.

It will happen... Alvarez will sign at reasonable terms, Scheppers will sign at reasonable terms if he is smart, but most likely he will not sign at all.

How about 10 times in the past 30 mins refreshing the content, does that count?  I had this page loaded all day at work "refreshing" and reading the comments  every chance I had.  We need to have a  PBC blog contributors get together with DK at PirateFest.   I bet he would be up for it after his well deserved time off in October/November.

IF the Pirates hosted a playoff game in 2011 do you think they would stll have the perogie races?  God, I hope not.  Buck and McCarver would tear our franchise apart.  The wave, perogie races, fireworks, bobbleheads and the 2nd mascot all need to go.  We just need a baseball game and an organ.  That is all that is required.

10 Times?  HA.  

...shoot 'im now.  Shoot 'im now.

You keep outta dis.  He doesn't have to shoot you now...

Friends, I'm startin' to crack up.

YA GOTTA BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!

This...blog...IS...ALIVE!!!

My F5 key is about to die!

Drabek,

Don't forget if McCarver comes and finds one empty seat, he'll make fun of that fact we didn't sell out a playoff game after missing the playoffs for 20 straight seasons.

It's crazy to me that I'm checking to see if Alvarez has signed when Boras hasn't even called Huntington yet.

Should we assume that, since Boras called at 11:58 last year, he'll  have to set a little more time aside this year, since he has more clients in the top 5?

Hello all...

I started watching this blog about a week ago.  I think I have refreshed about 20 times the past half hour.  I finally had to comment.  Great information - I am hooked - Dejan, you are awesome!  NH/FC - Go get Alvarez...  

G-Man I agree if Sheppers doesn't sign he must be hopeful all will be well next year pitching in college ball.  With the coach they have he may want to rethink on several fronts.

1. The coach seems to run his pitchers down.

2. He may lose some control for awhile due to the injury

3. Because of number 2 he may/will slip in the draft next year.  Prediction is next years draft is rich in pitching.

4. The pirates would have better medical care and will adjust to his needs to ensure a better outlook for him.

5.  Will have a good payday now and begin his track to the pro's.

*REFRESH* x 100

I was at the game on Thursday.  These fans that don't come for the baseball have gotten so predictable that I was actually able to correctly predict when we would see the wave make its first full completion around the stadium.  They were trying to start it in the 2nd, and I told my cousin, just wait, it won't make a full rotation until about the top of the eighth inning or so, when the Pirates are down by a few runs and they're not up at the plate.  Sure enough.  Top of the 8th.  There it was.

this place must be packed tonight.......my refresh button.....is not so fresh.  5 more minutes....Pedro! Pedro! Pedro!

And we're down to 5 minutes...

Dying DK? That's an understatement.  We need some info, quickly.

Good point.  McCarver can be an idiot at times. I just need the circus to leave PNC Park.  Every time the wave starts at PNC Park it makes me embarassed to be a Pirate's fan.

Pedro! Pedro! Pedro!

screw mccarver i would have 15 pierogie races a game if it made him only slightly annoyed

Thanks Missing the Burgh. Didn't know F5 would do that. Time to break my F5 key. I feel like a fat girl waiting at the door for the quarterback of the football team to pick her up and take her to the prom.

C'mon Drabek, you gotta keep the perogie races!  Think of the children!

Four more minutes... I think Boras is on the phone right now. Or at least thinking about it.

Yeah hope that those high up in the front office take note of who the real fans are that didnt go for the fireworks, stayed home to watch the game and stay on the blog past midnight on a Friday night no less.   Hanging on every update.

If pierogie races irritate McCarver & Buck, then that's a good enough reason to me to keep'em. Irritate the self-important Yankee/Red Sox/Cubs lovin' windbags!

im ready to start singing some R........E...........O

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I can't stop refreshing.  I'm on vacation on the hotel lobby computer refreshing away.  Hopefully this ends soon before my family throws my stuff outside the door.

Ryan Doumit... Pedro offers you his protection.

Start praying to the deity of your choice ladies and gentlemen!

Are there any lady fans out there staying up and doing this craziness with the rest of us?

Insider on Pittsburgh sports Announces Alvarez has signed. Anyone know this guy?

Alvarez + Scheppers + everyone else = best draft in Pirate history

Alvarez alone + everyone else = best draft in Pirate history

Scheppers alone + everyone else = best draft in Pirate history

it's 11:58...hope that ringing in my ears is Mr. Boras...

Meestro,

Did you predict when the first round of "here we go Steelers" chant would start?  Talk about predictable and annoying.  

AHhhhHHH!!!!!   Tell me what it is!

Heres the sight:

www.theinsideronpittsburghsports.com

1 minute to go .... any info DK?

if they dont sign him for the first time in a long time i place the blame on boras and not on huntington

I can honestly say that I'm more anxious/nervous now than I was at the trade deadline.  This is killing me.  I'm still holding out hope for Scheppers and Alvarez.

12:02 do you know where your draft is?

Bong (x12)

BTW, DK

Cudo's to your tech folks.  Servers responding very well tonight!

It's midnight!  Let's all post and break the server!  No!! Wait! I changed my mind!!

DK wrote: >>I can just sense all of you out there dying over this. Won't be long now <<

Imagine if all of us were in one physical location. We'd all be talking at the same time. At least in the blogosphere, our comments are heard one at a time.

You wanna here about a real Pirates fan?  How about someone that lives out of market, pays for the MLB exta innings package and still watches them when they lose....just to make sure they dont score in the 9th...oh yea, then sits on the blog at midnight to find out if the #1 pick signs....you know who that is.....this guy.  plus i have 3 kids and a wife that works at night, so its easier for me to watch the games.

You wanna here about a real Pirates fan?  How about someone that lives out of market, pays for the MLB exta innings package and still watches them when they lose....just to make sure they dont score in the 9th...oh yea, then sits on the blog at midnight to find out if the #1 pick signs....you know who that is.....this guy.  plus i have 3 kids and a wife that works at night, so its easier for me to watch the games.

we need Tanner and Pedro finally we see if Nutting will put his money where his mouth is

Yeah a deadline at midnight is much better than a 4pm deadline for the tech folks.

Aww, I didn't think about the Steelers chant.  Darn it.

Hey, remember Parker was a 39th round pick, and if you remember Maz, he was a coal miner.  When you are 10 and Maz yanks the Yankees, well, it is part of what you are.  The PBC has shown brightly the past few weeks, regardless of what happens in the next few minutes, or regardless of why there are packed houses the past few days, there is hope again,

Pedro? Is that you?

I noticed that as well, STL. A little slower than usual, but just a little.

Hey, remember Parker was a 39th round pick, and if you remember Maz, he was a coal miner.  When you are 10 and Maz yanks the Yankees, well, it is part of what you are.  The PBC has shown brightly the past few weeks, regardless of what happens in the next few minutes, or regardless of why there are packed houses the past few days, there is hope again,

Hey, remember Parker was a 39th round pick, and if you remember Maz, he was a coal miner.  When you are 10 and Maz yanks the Yankees, well, it is part of what you are.  The PBC has shown brightly the past few weeks, regardless of what happens in the next few minutes, or regardless of why there are packed houses the past few days, there is hope again,

"I was at the game on Thursday.  These fans that don't come for the baseball have gotten so predictable that I was actually able to correctly predict when we would see the wave make its first full completion around the stadium.  They were trying to start it in the 2nd, and I told my cousin, just wait, it won't make a full rotation until about the top of the eighth inning or so, when the Pirates are down by a few runs and they're not up at the plate.  Sure enough.  Top of the 8th.  There it was."

I was at the Tuesday game myself, first game I was at since June of '05 against the Baltimore Orioles. In that game, Ryan Doumit got his first major league hit and Pirates rallied from a 5-0 hole to win 6-5. Jack Wilson hit the game winning homer in the bottom of the 8th right after Daryle Ward hit a tying 3 run shot. Ward's still around doing today LOL.

Anyway........   it's become embarrasing how the Pirates entertain these games, almost like it's a kid fest with all the cheesy stuff. I like to go to a ballgame simply to watch the game and study the stratigies within the game.

My F5 won't update / refresh - I have to go out to the sports page and then back into the blog. Arrrrgh

If bringing in REO Speedwagon doesn't seal the deal, then what kind of world do we live in?

My F5 won't update / refresh - I have to go out to the sports page and then back into the blog. Arrrrgh

Bigbat25, is that website just making that stuff up?

Yeah the wife can't stand it when that chant breaks out.  My last F5 was a little slow in loading.  Did we speak too soon?

dk  u r the best in the city at covering anything to do with the pirates u tell it like it is thank you sir

i cant take  it anymore !!!!!!!!!!!!!!      PSYCHE REFRESH

you're welcome Frankie D, and thank you PG for being able to handle the traffic tonight, unlike the trade deadline, although i doubt the traffic is as high tonight as it was then.

refreshing is getting longer and longer is the antisapation on the refresh like the news of did we or didn't we get Alvy and scheepes...?

Lady fan here, OF COURSE!  I've refreshed so many times in the past half hour I thought I crashed the site.  NEWS, PLEASE, DEJAN!!

I find it funny we are all on here after midnight just waiting...and waiting...and waiting...for just a sentence we are all dying to hear...

Cheers to all the Bucco fans where ever you all are tonight. Hopefully we get the happy news and can go to bed.

Based on his tactics, (specifically, not getting serious until after 11:30 PM deadline day) if one of Boras' guys doesn't sign - and really wanted to - can you imagine the amount of the lawsuit that family could file against Boras for representing/negotiating in bad faith?

sorry for the duplicates........ANY WORD YET????

Boras client Allan Dykstra signed with the Padres... I guess he just works his way through the list starting at 11:50

The crickets outside of my window have become strangely ominous...

come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim Plake get this done

You guys gave out the F5 trick...now EVERYBODY'S doing it.....Pedro? are you knocking?? Does anybody else have an opinion on what Neal and Frank will be cracking open when this night is over?? my guess, wine coolers!!

Could we sue Boras for mental anguish?

Haven't heard from DK in awhile... is that a bad thing?

I lost track of my refreshes.

kudos to KM for hanging in there.  you might be the only lady here, or the only one that spoke up.

LOL STLRFANRC ... I thought you were going to be speaking of me. I'm here in Vegas pounding away on the keyboard. TiVO Bucs' all the time.

Glad to hear I'm not alone!

Just kidding of course....

The site is slowing down big time, looks like LaRoche rounding third

Rangers sign Justin Smoak...

Baseball America reports last minute first round signings so far:  Smoak, Dykstra.  Yankees failed to sign Cole, their first rounder.  Where's PEDRO??

Come on Boras, you suck at life!

Zzzzzzz  Zzzzzzz  Zzzzzzz.  Wake me up if we actually sign Pedro.

yeah thanks for the F5 as well.  Its the John Tesh radio show in a blog.  Intelligence for your life.  Now it is getting late.

@STLRFANRC: Nope, a couple  Iron City's.

Thanks for saying something DK, thought maybe you feel asleep on us here...

Come on!!! Daddy needs a new third baseman!!! (Newer than Andy Laroche)

we'll have the comments at over 200 before 1am if this drags on.

So Dejan--I hope you had both ledes written before this madness started...

"The Pirates and 1st round draft pick Pedro Alvarez agreed to a ___ year, ___$ million contract just before the midnight deadline" (hopefully) or...

"The Pirates were unable to come to agreement with top draft pick Pedro Alvarez, and will have the #3 pick next year." (please, no)

im gonna bet that pedro..is a pirate.  Hey, if he signs a MLB contract, does he start at that level right away or how does that work?

thats for the rest of us...but i think neal and frank..........eh, not so much.

Giants Sign Posey

Reds give Alonso 4.5 mill on a MLB Contract

So you have to figure that the silence on the lines is a good thing.  You know?  Like, people doing work and such.  Right?...Right?

This is what being a Pirate has come to sitting in front of computer on a friday night refresh  our hopes and dreams. god bless us everyone

This is what being a Pirate has come to sitting in front of computer on a friday night refresh  our hopes and dreams. god bless us everyone

I think it's good that we know that the Yanks failed to sign Gerrit Cole but no work on Alvarez yet.

That's it.  I need a drink.

parker was a 13th round pick out of cinn. ohio

Giants sign POSEY....AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!

I'm downing an ice cold Budweiser in hopes of good news.

Baseball America reports Giants sign Posey.  Looks like Boras was pretty busy this evening.  

Did time fly by?  the post are marked as 5:xx am.  What happened?  Did we sign anyone?

White smoke from PNC = Alvarez signed.

Gray smoke = no Alvarez.

Watch the smoke, DK.

I live in South Carolina, close to USC and watched a few games....Justin Smoak........is a baaaaaaaaaadddd Mala fala....

Somebody ought to send all of this to the Pirates front office.  If there was ever any doubt about how many bucco fans are out there that are just dying for some winning baseball... Dejan said it well this morning... Now just tell me Alvarez has signed so I can get to bed.  Gotta be up at 6:30

My wife was following.  She's thinks I'm nuts.  But she roots for my Bucs anyway.  (She grew up cheering for the Orioles, Deadskins, and C*apitals - I converted her!)

Just walked in the door from the beach expecting to read some sort of news. Damn! Either DK is typing up the details or he is heading to PNC with a handful of photographers has fans with pitchforks storm the gates. My celebration/ disappointment beer is being drank in limbo.

Pedro!Pedro!Pedro!

Baseball tonight just started maybe news there

The Nationals DID NOT sign Aaron Crow.

Wonder if they were waiting to see what Posey's bonus is to make sure Alvarez tops it?

I've never looked forward to Baseball Tonight so much in my life.  Of course, they talk about everything BUT the picks.

GREAT!!

When was the last time we cared about signing our 1st round pick?  This alone tells me there has been a sea change of how things will be done.  Seeing all of the posts definitely fires me up for when we finally compete at a championship level again.  Sign or not sign - I will remember this night.  This group will do everything in its power to win in an unfair system.  That's all we can ask for.

Nats fail to sign Crow...

Dying a slow, painful death waiting for some info.  DK, please ....

Right now I'd sign for a bottle of aspirin to fix my eye-strain induced headache......

no, its about crow and the nats

Just heard from my die hard bucco fan that pedro signed and no word on tanner.  I know I am not Dejan, but thought you might like to now.

I'm a female fan still up looking for info on the will he/won't he sign with the Buccos saga.

Maybe the Pirates should set up a new promotion for those of us who don't want the circus atmosphere at the game. They could put together a new 8 pack of games that have no giveaways, no pierogi racing, no hot dog & Tshirts being shot into the stands, no text messaging, no cell phone photos, and no PNC Park Idol. Plus, they could let us in the gates at 4:30 so that we could watch batting practice.

Oh, and count me as one who absolutely can not stand listening to Rocco. Awful.

DK gives us the best Pirates coverage.

And BA just totally crashed on me.

"Buster Posey got $6.2 million from the Giants, the largest up-front bonus in draft history. Straight bonus, no major league deal."

This has officially gotten to Stage Ridiculous!  Sure beats Danny Moskos though eh?  

I came down to let the dog out an hour ago!!!!!!!!!!!  You gotta tell me soon or my wife is going to know I am looking at baseball at 12:30.  Help!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Posey gets 6.2, no major league contract.

I guess Littlebrains new what he was doing!  He knew he could not sign real talent!

Ive been around for you..........FIREWORKS!!! FIREWORKS!!!

Dejan - if you aren't hearing anything now, what were you hearing before?

TIOPS:

12:26 a.m. $6.35 signing bonus for Alvarez? stay tuned.

www.theinsideronpittsburghsports.com

No news ain't necessarily bad news.

TIOPS - 12:26 a.m. $6.35 signing bonus for Alvarez? stay tuned.

Buster Posey got $6.2 million from the Giants, the largest up-front bonus in draft history. Straight bonus, no major league deal

I HATE Baseball Tonight right now..  This is like our World Series right now.  IF we signed Alvarez and Scheppers, we won the World Series.  This is much better than watching the actual team.  How sad is that?  The Yankees will wake up tomorrow and be like, 'oh darn, we didnt sign that guy we got in the 1st.  whatever.'  Pittsburgh fans would be like, "NO GOD WHY!!!"

According to Baseball America, Posey's bonus was 6.2 mil and no ML contract.

alvarez, 6.35 million signing bonus

Rocco just mentioned our blog!!  He could very well be among us...right now...

I called the airport and ask for the time a private jet under the name of boras is to arrive, well they said any time between 1pm to 4pm. saturday.

Ok, in the words of R.E.O speedwagon...........its ALMOST time for me fllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

What is wrong with us?

alvarez, 6.35 million signing bonus

My fiancee probably thinks I am in cahoots with another woman, being so devoted to something like this and not wanting to take my eyes away from this screen, when it turns out this is an "affair" with our beloved Buccos and our soon-to-be-new-3rd-baseman.

Buster Posey got $6.2mil from the Giants.

Wouldn't Scott Boras just crap himself if Alvarez gets less.....

It's getting late, yet I won't be able to sleep without a definitive verdict from DK.

STLPirate... also living in St. Louis right now and I'm disappointed that you're drinking Budweiser when you could have a Newcastle. You originally from the STL area or a native 'burgher'?

After DK 's12:27 comment....Can we have a drum roll please.....It may be an extended one.

G-Man  How ya doin?

Baywatch you out here in the blogosphere???

Loved the Pope reference.  However, if there's smoke, no signing, and the PBC offices are burning down in front of idot, outraged fanatics.

Fedko's saying that the PR department reports that there's nothing yet. Soon,  please?

My husband can't believe I'm up doing this - hitting refresh to see if we sign some kid. And he hates that I say "we" like I have a number and a locker in the clubhouse.

This isn't just a kid, honey, this is a turning point in PBC thinking!

I wonder what the line in Vegas is on this?

guy on Baseball Tonight believes Pedro signed.  he's not sure though.

Who the hell is Rocco?

For me  DK ,Pirates.com and Pirates Extra Innings ARE

ALL I need for my info

My Holy Trinity,so to speak...

So, who wants to discuss the Steelers defense?  Just kidding.  

Thank goodness NH drafted the best available prospect as opposed to the most signable prospect.

Baseball Tonight just had someone on from baseball America who says he "believes" that Pedro signed with the Bucs.  

Baseball Tonight talking picks.  Guy from BA says he "believes" Alvarez has signed.  No ML contract.

Callis believes Pedro has signed.  It would be a straight bonus deal since no deal has been submitted to players union.

Hey DK beverage of choice on nights like these?

Coffee

or

Red Bull

48jj

Great comment.  Just what I was saying about BP.  Love the fact you brought up the cell phone push that is way over the top this year.  Joe whatever his name is probably gives those addresses out as his own since he mentions them so much.  Love the idea of the "real Pirate fans 8 pack."  Can you find 8 games without a promotion?  Glad you are up with us.  Great post.

KDKA news just said, "No word yet."

SAY WHAT??!!

www.post-gazette.com/.../904846-63.stm

article is out and DK left us to hit the sports page

Jim Callis on ESPN a moment ago:  I believe Alvarez signed.

It's Done!!  It's Done!!

Sheppers confirmed NOT SIGNED...

BA confirming that Scheppers DID NOT sign...

For his sake I hope he doesnt end up regretting that decision.

www.baseballamerica.com/.../draft

you ppl need to goto sleep haha

I don't think i've ever seen so many ppl anticipating a rookie signing

but i 'm guessing the deal's done, just waiting to announce it.

Why can't a Pirate official pick up the phone and call DK and say "yes"or "no", with "details to follow"?  Is that too much to ask for?

Scheppers does not sign.  If Alvarez signed, it's a minor league deal with a large up-front bonus

Scheppers Doesn’t Sign     Baseball americ***

its official that scheppers doesnt sign