Crosby to sign with Tigers

The Detroit News is reporting that the Detroit Tigers have reached an agreement with 2007 Kaneland grad Casey Crosby.

Crosby, an 18-year-old left-handed pitcher, was drafted by the Tigers 181st overall, in the fifth round of Major League Baseball's amateur draft in early June.

The process of getting signed has been a lengthy one for Crosby, who had an asking price of over $700,000. He is projected to sign a contract for an estimated $800,000, according to unnamed sources cited by the Detroit News.

Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers' president and general manager, would not confirm anything Tuesday.

Crosby, who verbally committed to the University of Illinois, was viewed to be no worse than a supplemental-round pick in this year's draft -- a draft corridor that is sandwiched between the first and second rounds -- but fell to the fifth round because of financial expectations far in excess of the $126,000 limit urged by Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig.

Crosby was unavailable for comment Tuesday.