Green Signs; Blue Jays Give Him $700,000 Bonus

Shawn Green, a former Tustin High School outfielder, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday, receiving the third-largest signing bonus in baseball history.

Green, a first-round selection and the 16th player chosen in the June amateur free-agent draft, signed for a $700,000 bonus as part of a package worth $1.45 million.

Pitcher Brien Taylor, the No. 1 selection in the draft, recently signed with the New York Yankees for a $1.55 million signing bonus. Pitcher Todd Van Poppel, the Oakland Athletics’ No. 1 pick in 1990, got a $1.2 million bonus.

Green had signed a letter of intent to play at Stanford.

“The Blue Jays made an offer that I just couldn’t pass up,” said Green, 18. “What it finally came down to was I wanted an opportunity to play professional baseball.”

The signing ended months of on-again, off-again negotiations between the Blue Jays and the Green family. Toronto had originally offered a package reportedly worth $400,000 in June.

Ira Green, Shawn’s father, said at the time that it would take an extraordinary offer to persuade his son not to play at college. One report said the Greens were asking for at least a $500,000 bonus.

Green, in fact, was already in Palo Alto, where he was scheduled to begin classes Wednesday. Once a player begin classes at a four-year school he can not be signed until after his junior year, when he is again eligible for the draft.

The Blue Jays recently raised their offer as Green prepared to leave for Stanford. He made his decision Tuesday night.

He was flown to Orange County Wednesday morning for a news conference at Anaheim Stadium, where the Blue Jays were playing the Angels. He returned to Stanford last night.

“Actually, I’m (supposed to be) in a class right now,” Green said at the news conference. “Education is still a priority with me. It was a big relief to finally have this over with. My entire family has been stressed out about this decision.”

The Blue Jays agreed to pay for four quarters at Stanford. Green, who had a 4.6 grade-point average at Tustin, completed the equivalent of two semesters of college courses while in high school.

Green, who is undecided about a major, will attend two quarters at Stanford, then report to spring training after classes end March 15.

Green was named The Times Orange County player of the year last season after hitting .479. He also set a career record for most hits with 147.