Denny Clement apparently got calls from four different teams on draft day. The first three, at rounds 7, 8 and 13, were answered with the words "I’m going to play baseball at Texas A&M."

But the A’s didn’t call first. They just drafted. And now the negotiations begin.

There’s only one way Denny Clement signs a contract with Oakland; they pay him a boatload of cash - basically 3rd or 4th round money - to do so.

And they won’t. They never do. Other teams will play that game, but the A’s will always cheap out.

The Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise got the hometown scoop: 

“It’s always your dream….to be drafted out of
high school,” Clement said Saturday. “It feels good when you finally take that big step.”

But, Clement said he feels his draft position may improve drastically when he gets a few years of college ball under his belt.

“That’s my plan,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll go in the first three rounds after my junior year, which is where I’m projected.”

Not that the door is closed… It’s just on a chain.

But, Clement isn’t yet completely slamming the door on beginning his pro career much sooner.

Taking a never-say-never approach, Clement said he’s willing to listen to Oakland, when he gets a better picture of who the A’s will sign and what kind of deal they may offer.

“Oakland is a great franchise and they produce a good amount of pitchers with great skills,” said Clement.

Keep moving, C’s fans.