I figured we should have one area where we can keep the focus on which and how many of our draft picks we can sign. The Astros were really aggressive in drafting quite a few players that are expected to demand more bonus money than just the slot recommendation for their pick

First, let's clear up some of the basics...

The Astros have a total bonus pool of $11.2 million dollars this year. That is determined by adding up the recommended slot values for all our picks in the 1st 10 rounds. The Astros had 11 picks in those first 10 rounds. There are penalties for exceeding the total bonus pool. If we exceed it by 0-5%, we have to pay an addition 75% tax on that overage. If we exceed it by more than 5%, we have to pay a tax AND we start losing 1st round draft picks in upcoming years (the penalties keep increasing, but I seriously doubt the Astros will go over by more than 5% total, which in this case would mean if they go over budget at all, it will be by less than 560K - I'll be using 550K as that number).

The Astros can spend that 11.2M (or 11.75M) in bonus money on whomever they want. So if we sign one player for less than the slot recommendation, we can sign another player or players to more than the slot recommendation for their pick. If we fail to sign a player drafted in the first 10 rounds, we lose bonus money equal to the slot recommendation. Anyone drafted after the first 10 rounds, can be given up to a 100K bonus without affecting the total bonus pool. If the 11th+ rounders are not signed, it will not affect the bonus pool. And if they are given a bonus exceeding 100K, the amount in excess of 100K will count against the bonus pool.

Now the specifics....

The bonus the Astros give to each player drafted in the first 10 rounds is important, because they will directly affect the bonus pool. Probably only two players taken after the first 10 rounds will have any chance to get over a 100K bonus, hence affecting the pool. Those players are LHP Hunter Virant and SS C.J. Hinojosa.

Here are the the recommended slot values for each of the Astros picks...

1. Carlos Correa, SS - $7,200,000 - Signed for $4,800,000 ($2,400,00 in bonus savings)

41. Lance McCullers, RHP - $1,258,700 - Signed for $2,500,000 ($1,241,300 against the bonus)

61. Nolan Fontana, SS - $844,100 -Signed for $875,000 ($30,900 against the bonus)

96. Brady Rodgers, RHP - $495,200 - Signed for $495,000 (no effect on remaining bonus money)

129. Rio Ruiz, 3B - $360,200 - Signed for $1,850,000 ($1,489,800 against the bonus)

159. Andrew Aplin, CF - $269,700 - Signed for $220,000 ($49,700 in bonus savings)

189. Brett Phillips, CF - $201,900 - Signed for $300,000 ($98,100 against the bonus)

219. Preston Tucker, OF - $151,400

249. Tyler Heineman, C - $140,400 - Signed for $125,000 (15,400 in bonus savings)

279. Daniel Minor, RHP - $131,100 - Signed for $50,000 ($81,100 in bonus savings)

309. Joe Bircher, LHP - $125,000 - Signed for $20,000 ($105,000 in bonus savings)

* Hunter Virant, LHP (no slot recommendation - bonus over 100K will count against bonus pool)

* C.J. Hinojosa, SS (no slot recommendation - bonus over 100K will count against bonus pool)

* $550,000 cash available if the Astros are willing to pay 75% tax on that overage.

BONUS MONEY THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR OVERSLOT DEALS AS OF TODAY = $341,100 (all would be taxed at 75%)