Jon Singleton‘s contract upset some players.

Critics of the contract will point to the fact that Singleton, 22, potentially sacrificed greater future earnings via free agency or arbitration by taking immediate security with this deal. If the Astros pick up all three options, he won’t be eligible to test free agency until he’s 30.

Moreover, it could set a precedent for teams and their prospects going forward.

Basically, while the deal make prospects a bit more valuable, it reduces the value of good young players in the majors looking for extensions. By waiting until he’s 30 to become a free agent, he also fails to push up the price of free agents in their prime.

Now I had heard Singleton had a drug problem, but I didn’t realize it was so minor:

Acquired from Philadelphia in the 2011 trade for Hunter Pence, he was suspended 50 games last season for a second violation for a drug of abuse. Singleton told The Associated Press in spring training that he has an addiction to marijuana and had spent a month in a rehabilitation center last year.

So he’s not Josh Hamilton, with the kind of addiction that might lead to his death. I have no idea why baseball busts players for marijuana use. Can’t wait to see Singleton face Tim Lincecum. 🙂

Update: Singleton strikes out in his first plate appearance. He sports a David Ortiz beard, and a chaw of something that really distorts the line of his mouth.