"Yes."
"Okay," Close begins, "Where would you like to go from here?"
Luhnow thinks. Offering 40% of the slot value guarantees that the Astros receive a compensation pick in the 2015 draft, should Close and Aiken decline the offer.
"$3.1 million." Luhnow replies.
"That's the slot value for the 9th overall pick," Close replies. "You think that Brady Aiken is now worth the 9th overall pick?"
"If there is an issue with his elbow, and it goes out, we still give him Top-10 money."
"But there's not an issue with his elbow," Close says. "He is not injured. In fact, he threw a bullpen in the last 24 hours in which he threw 97mph."
"Well, but there could be an issue with his elbow." Luhnow replies.
Close puts Luhnow on mute and tells the Aiken family, "The Astros think there could be an issue with Brady's elbow. They have lowered their offer to $3.1m."
Aiken's father explodes, "That's less than half of the discounted offer we agreed to!"
"Yes," Close replies.
To hang up on Luhnow turn to Page 134.
To agree to the new terms turn to Page 52.
