What I understand with signings, is that after a certain August date, Aug12th? it will be for a 09 minor league contact. This will allow the Giants to have another year of control over the player which makes sense. Yes, he loses a portion of this year to work with the giants, but in terms of having that full year on the backside of this orginal contract rights, it is extremely valuble.

The same with Crawford, Gillespie and that other outfielder propect.