Rasner could sign as soon as today

Carson High graduate Darrell Rasner said he could sign with the Montreal Expos as soon as today.

But Rasner was quick to add that he still considers himself to be in the same situation that he has been ever since the Expos made him the 46th overall pick in the second round of the Major League draft on June 4 -- waiting. Still, Rasner said he hopes to sign with the Expos no later than early this week.

"That's what I'm hoping for," said Rasner about signing as soon as today or early this week. "I've waited for so long. I've been waiting since the fifth."

Rasner, though, also said it's still difficult to speculate when he'll sign. "It's really hard to say," he said. "It's kind of up in the air still."

As far as the negotiations, Rasner also said he didn't have any information.

"I have no clue, yet," he said. "As of now I don't know what's going on. You know as much as I do.

"I don't know all of the details of the contract, yet. I haven't gotten one myself."

Rasner is leaving the negotiations up to his agent, Matt Sosnick of the Bay area.

"Matt's done an outstanding job," Rasner said. "I'm really happy with him."

The reason why Rasner is hopeful he'll sign soon is that many picks ahead of him have now signed, which should determine what he'll receive.

"That's what I was kind of waiting for," said Rasner about draft picks ahead of him signing. "I think everything will fall into place."

Based on what Sosnick has received for his clients who have signed, Rasner should do well. The 42nd pick, pitcher Blair Johnson, received an $885,000 signing bonus from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 43rd pick, outfielder Jason Pridie, signed for $892,000 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The 47th pick, catcher Adam Donachie, signed for $800,000 with the Kansas City Royals. All three are Sosnick's clients.

Based on those figures, Rasner should sign for anywhere between $800,000 and $900,000. But Rasner is reluctant to talk about what he could sign for.

"I really haven't thought about it because it still hasn't happened, yet," he said. "It still all doesn't seem real to me."

Rasner, a right-handed pitcher, finished his junior year at the University of Nevada. He went 6-8 with a 3.70 earned run average and struck out 109 in 104.2 innings.

Rasner said if he signs, he would report to the Expos lower Class A team in Vermont. Rasner has been staying in shape while looking forward for the chance to start his professional career. "I'll be ready to go," he said.