Early indications are it will take about $1.3 million for the Cubs to sign No. 1 draft pick Kerry Wood.
Wood was the fourth pick overall, and the first pitcher chosen this year out of high school. He is advised by Houston-based attorney Alan Hendricks.
General Manager Ed Lynch said there is no deal imminent, but the parameters are slowly being set by other teams.
Only two of the top nine draft picks this year have signed. San Diego signed catcher Ben Davis, the No. 2 pick in the draft, for $1.3 million plus $100,000 for him to go to college.
Pittsburgh signed the No. 9 player in the draft, shortstop Chad Hermansen, for $1.15 million and $72,000 for college.
The first pitcher drafted out of high school last year was Doug Million, a left-hander who was the seventh player chosen, and signed by Colorado for $905,000.
The Cubs’ top pick last year, Jayson Peterson, the 15th player chosen, signed for $712,500, the highest the Cubs had ever paid a draft choice until now. Peterson is 2-0 with a 3.27 earned-run average at Class-A Williamsport.
More Top Picks Log Splitters
Searching for diamonds:The Cubs claimed outfielder Darren Burton on waivers, then sent him to Double-A Orlando. Burton, 22, hit .239 with six stolen bases for Kansas City’s Double-A affiliate this year. The Royals tried to clear him on waivers, but he was claimed by Cincinnati. The Reds kept him for nine days and realized they couldn’t clear a spot on their 40-man roster for him so he went back on waivers and the Cubs grabbed him.