June 17, 200719 yr Dominguez negotiations begin By Mike Berardino South Florida Sun-Sentinel Posted June 17 2007 KANSAS CITY ? Matt Dominguez is busy with last-minute preparations for his high school graduation Wednesday. How soon he will trade his mortarboard for a Marlins cap remains to be seen. LocalLinks Marlins area scout Tim McDonald met Friday with Dominguez and his advisor, Gus Dominguez, at the agent's Encino, Calif., office. Gus Dominguez, the player's uncle, said a second meeting would be scheduled soon. "We've just started to open the talks, and we'll see where it goes from here," Gus Dominguez said Saturday in a telephone interview. "We're just in the first steps." Matt Dominguez, a third baseman from Chatsworth High School, was the 12th overall pick in the June 7 draft. He said on draft day he was "pretty sure" he would sign, but he also has a commitment to Cal State Fullerton to weigh. Gus Dominguez did not characterize the Marlins' initial offer, but he did note Beau Mills, a junior college third baseman taken 13th by the Indians, had agreed to a $1.575 million bonus. Several other first-rounders have already signed, including University of Florida first baseman Matt LaPorta, who went seventh overall to the Brewers. LaPorta received a $2 million bonus as a fifth-year senior, which Dominguez figures to use in negotiations. Last year's No. 12 overall pick, Rangers lefty Kasey Kiker, received a $1.6 million bonus. Gus Dominguez is expected to appeal his federal conviction for smuggling Cuban baseball players into the United States. Though he faces a July 9 sentencing hearing, Dominguez said he did not expect his legal issues to keep him from advising his nephew during talks with the Marlins. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...-sports-marlins
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