He had to believe that certainly would have made Arizona eager to sign him rather than have him go to Bradley University for his junior season and then be eligible again for the 2010 draft. However, that's just what happened as Monday's signing deadline passed.
"The deal is Patrick is not signing with Arizona. He is going on to college. We are little bit perplexed. What they basically told Patrick is that they spent his money and that their budget was depleted," said Cooper's father, Patrick Cooper Sr. "Their top draft guy got paid $1.8 million. They told him (Patrick) they were out of money."
The rumor was that the Diamondbacks had offered $200,000 to Cooper to sign and he wanted $300,000. Cooper's father said there was never a firm $200,000 offer.
"Maybe they were trying to get a feel for what Patrick would take, and he told them he would rather not do that. But they never made that offer," Cooper's father said.
'We can't figure it out'
Maybe Arizona did blow its budget. After all, baseball teams do strange things. How else can one explain the Cincinnati Reds recently trading for aging third baseman Scott Rolen and eating his big salary next year with the team needed help in many other areas?
"He did everything he was asked to do (by Arizona) this summer. He did an outstanding job," Cooper's father said. "What I have learned is what those guys are doing is recruiting and signing guys and there is no science about it. There is no rhyme or reason to it on who they sign or why.
"I am disappointed in that sense. I know Patrick is second or third round material. It's just a matter of not suiting their needs. Maybe they are loaded with pitchers. We don't know why they do what they do. We can't figure it out."
Who can?
Baltimore tried to sign Cooper to a free agent contract after he graduated from Boyle, but he turned down that offer. Now he's rejected the low-ball offer from Arizona. However, if he stays healthy, he made the right choice.
He can go to Bradley, continue his strong pitching, perfect his technique even more and become a first- or second-round pick next year. Then he'll command even more money.
At worst, he stays in school two years and completes his degree. At best, he's playing professional baseball as a high draft pick next summer after a successful junior year at Bradley.
Cooper's father said his son was initially "pretty disappointed" Monday that he didn't sign. Then his son got back to being the player that has elevated his game dramatically in the last three years.
"He's now determined to go to Bradley, work his tail off and make himself a first-round draft pick," Patrick Cooper Sr. said. "He is psyched and ready to go to work. He's been told that typically your junior year is your strongest year for the draft, so maybe this will all work out for the best."
