Bowden Reports Mets May Not Have To Give Up First Round Pick For Michael Bourn

Jim Bowden of ESPN and XM radio is reporting on twitter that if the Mets sign Michael Bourn, it is likely that MLB will rule that the team will not have to surrender the eleventh overall pick in this year's draft.

According to a league source if the Mets were able to sign Michael Bourn it is likely through negotiations w/union pick would be protected

— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) February 7, 2013

According to source the intent on both sides were to protect teams with10 worst records rather than the first 10 picks in language

— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) February 7, 2013

This changes the calculus immensely for the Mets. They would still lose the 47th overall pick in this year's draft but that has a slot value of roughly one-half the 11th pick, and the Mets have two second round picks this year as a result of being unable to come to terms with prep pitcher Teddy Stankiewicz in the 2012 draft.

According to a team source that has been involved in Bourn negotiations deal more likely to end up with AAV $14-15m range than $11-12m range

— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) February 7, 2013

Bowden also reports that Bourn is likely to get a deal with an average annual value of 14 or 15 million dollars, which would mean a contract roughly the same as Nick Swisher's, assuming a four-year deal.