Indians Studio Host Jabs LSU Coach After Rising Freshman Bolts for Cleveland
By Jerry Trotta
Shortstop Christian Cairo of Calvary Christian in Clearwater, Fla. was selected in the fourth round (No.130 overall) of this week's 2019 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians.
Expected to report to LSU's baseball program in the coming weeks, the young infielder abruptly snubbed the Tigers after the Tribe called and offered Cairo almost $1 million. He didn't hesitate, and will forgo college and join the club's farm system.
The news came as a huge shock to LSU head coach Paul Mainieri, who actually gave Cairo a tour of the school hours before he got on the phone with Cleveland. And Indians studio host Jensen Lewis wants to make sure the head coach understands the obvious reason as to why the new draftee spurned the Bayou Bengals.
$1,000,000 to pass up classes at LSU? Yeah, I think that’s an easy call.
— Jensen Lewis (@JLEWFifty) June 6, 2019
Knowing the @Indians from my own experience, Christian will likely have his education paid for on top of that signing bonus.
Did Paul want to give up $1M of his $4.5M annual salary to keep Cairo, btw? ? https://t.co/E7bf2A8ehu
Boom. Roasted.
Lewis is just spitting facts here, people. What self-respecting athlete wouldn't take that kind of money to pass up going to school and turn pro? It's not like he can't still get a college education via other means, after all.
The 61-year-old head coach should just chalk up a big L on this one. Though he might appear genuine, Mainieri probably couldn't come off more oblivious here if he tried.
LSU coach Paul Mainieri laments (whines really) about LSU recruit Christian Cairo deciding to sign with the Cleveland Indians. One thing some of these coaches should know: It’s about the kids, not their own won-loss record. Btw, Mainieri not long ago signed $4.5M deal with LSU. https://t.co/nvLkkHBn2c
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 6, 2019
For starters, he doesn't even praise Cairo for the opportunity and challenge of a lifetime that he is about to embark on. He's only worried about his own win-loss record, as MLB insider Jon Heyman swiftly points out.
Not to mention that Mainieri signed a four-year extension back in 2016 that pays him $1.125 million on an annual basis. Hypocrisy and insincerity in a nutshell, ladies and gentlemen.