Left-hander Brady Aiken is said to have an issue with his elbow ligament,
causing the Astros to lower their offer and delaying the deal between the
Astros and the No. 1 pick that seemed about to happen almost two weeks ago,
sources told CBSSports.com.
The Astros are offering to do a deal for about $5 million now, according to
sources, about $1.5 million less than the originally agreed-upon $6.5 million,
sources say.
Aiken was said to be ready to decide two weeks ago Tuesday, with his parents
and sister in Houston ready for the expected announcement. With the deal
called off, they returned home.
It was speculated on Foxsports.com, CBSSports.com and in the Houston
Chronicle there may have been a medical issue, and sources now confirm it is
his elbow. The Astros are said to have discovered the issue at a medical exam
done just prior to when they were expected to announce a deal.
Aiken is said to have agreed originally to the $6.5 million pact, with the
parameters mostly set before he was taken No. 1. The lefty had a brilliant
high school career in the San Diego area and is said to have an excellent
repertoire and future. Astros people said he seemed anxious to get on with
his professional career that has now been delayed, at least a bit.
Astros GM Jeff Luhnow expressed hope to CBSSports.com last week that they'd
have Aiken signed by the July 18 deadline. Casey Close, Aiken's adviser,
didn't immediately return a message Monday.
The $6.5 million was about $1.4 million below the $7.9M slot for the No. 1
overall pick.
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