2015 International Signing Thread

[narwhalattack]

Another Cuban who won't impact signing pools.

 

MLB Declares Cuban Pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez A Free Agent

July 7, 2015 by Ben Badler

 

Actually, it does say at the end that he will be subject to signing pools.

[WV Brew]

Per Brew Crew Ball: Brewers sign Jesus Lujano mentioned earlier in this thread. He is a CF from Venezuela. Worth reading the whole article.

 

http://www.brewcrewball.com/2015/7/7/8902763/brewers-sign-another-prospect-from-venezuela

[nate82]

So the Cubs have lost Christopher Martinez but this sounds more like a blessing for the Cubs than hurting them as they save $2m because of the medicals. Not sure I would want the Brewers to take a chance on this guy as the scouting reports don't look all that promising on him.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/cubs-million-dollar-deal-christopher-martinez-falls-apart/

[TheCrew07]

Cuban Outfielder Yusniel Diaz Free To Sign

August 21, 2015 by Ben Badler

[TheCrew07]

Updates On The Top 20 Cuban Players

August 24, 2015 by Ben Badler

[Mass Haas]

Instagram images -- Looking for the next Orlando Arcia in Venezuela

[Crash2303]

would you rather....

 

have Gilbert Lara for 3.4 million

OR

Franly Mallen, Nicolas Pierre, Jose Sibrian, & Jesus Lujano for 2.5 million

[CheezWizHed]

Gilbert Lara

 

Its kind of like asking if I'd rather have a #8 or 9 overall First round draft pick in the MLB draft or two high #3 ($800k Franley and Pierre), low #3 ($550k Jose Sibrian), and a mid round #4 ($450k Jesus Lujano ).

 

Yes, low round picks hit it big on occasion, but high round picks hit it big more often. We need impact talent as much or more than depth talent.

 

Good thing we get all of them, right?

[Jenkins5]

Think CheezWizhed hit the nail on the head. It's great to have a bunch of 2nd-4th round picks but have a top 1-5 talent can be transcendent. If Gilbert become the elite player he is believed to be, we have an annual all-star/mvp candidate.

[ZBTMP]

Nice write-up of current Cuban Free Agents.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/157054364/cuban-players-to-watch-this-hot-stove-season

[ZBTMP]

And the Dodgers throw 43 million more at (2) Cuban teenagers today...

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/11/23/9782564/los-angeles-dodgers-sign-cuban-players-yusniel-diaz-omar-estevez

 

"If either player were eligible for the yearly amateur draft, Diaz would be a potential first round pick while Estevez would most likely project in the second round or so."

[Jenkins5]

I don't fully understand how the pools work since Dodgers cannot spend over 300k on a play yet just spent 19 million on 2? I get they are taxed but makes no sense. MLB needs to go back and fix this again. They did the pools to make it far however none of the rich teams care about the taxes and bully there way through international signing. Dodgers essentially paid up Braun & Garza's 2016 salaries to bring the two kids in with all the taxes..... Brewers can't afford Braun & Garza alone, how are they suppose to compete in market when teams give that kind of money to teenagers?!

[brewcrewdue80]

I don't fully understand how the pools work since Dodgers cannot spend over 300k on a play yet just spent 19 million on 2? I get they are taxed but makes no sense. MLB needs to go back and fix this again. They did the pools to make it far however none of the rich teams care about the taxes and bully there way through international signing. Dodgers essentially paid up Braun & Garza's 2016 salaries to bring the two kids in with all the taxes..... Brewers can't afford Braun & Garza alone, how are they suppose to compete in market when teams give that kind of money to teenagers?!

 

The signings would still count for 2015 period, one I imagine the Dodgers can spend willingly. It's 2016/2017 signing periods they'll be limited to 300k.

 

Mlb FO really isn't going to complain on the overages since it goes to them...which they say is spent towards international networking and creating appeal....but really, at what dollar amount do you need to accomplish that? Here's 20million which will be 1/5 and better than Milwaukee's team payroll forthcoming.

[CheezWizHed]

I don't understand WHY they spent that much money on them. Diaz sounds interesting, but they spent more than double on him than a #1 overall draft pick (quadruple if you count the tax).

 

And Estevez gets $6M (3rd overall pick in the draft) for a 2nd round equivalent pick that is limited to 2B.

 

Sounds like they have way too much money to burn.

[brewcrewdue80]

CheezWiz I think you just answered yourself with Having way too much money to burn.

 

This is the new way to buy WS championships. Acquire these types of hyped Internationals. You'll either find your studs to be or in a year or 3, you have your trade piece to use on getting that trade deadline player you seek.

 

I'd assume the players also had similar offers from some other teams. Maybe you're staring at a sneaky way for the team to get in the good graces of the agent. And they sign a few 300k kids that would be 500k types. The agent doesnt take his share from the signings next year giving them the ability to sign that kid at 300k. Or the team has eyes on the 2018 potential signees and you're paying your way to divert the kid in to signing with LA.

 

They have Money to burn, do whatever they want. Keep the team stockpiled for years to come and fan interest.

[Eye Black]

16-year old Cuban OF prospect Lazaro Armenteros had an open showcase for MLB teams today. More information and highlight video via Baseball America.

 

Lazaro Armenteros Highlight Video

by Ben Badler / Baseball America

[MrTPlush]

I don't understand WHY they spent that much money on them. Diaz sounds interesting, but they spent more than double on him than a #1 overall draft pick (quadruple if you count the tax).

 

And Estevez gets $6M (3rd overall pick in the draft) for a 2nd round equivalent pick that is limited to 2B.

 

Sounds like they have way too much money to burn.

 

You can't really compare the draft to international FA. The draft has limitations with penalties for going over. If it was a free for all type draft(like the NFL years back) there would be ridiculous contracts for these players.

 

But in a way yes it is a lot of money to burn too. The Dodgers can take many many gambles other teams just can't rationalize.

[CheezWizHed]

I don't understand WHY they spent that much money on them. Diaz sounds interesting, but they spent more than double on him than a #1 overall draft pick (quadruple if you count the tax).

 

And Estevez gets $6M (3rd overall pick in the draft) for a 2nd round equivalent pick that is limited to 2B.

 

Sounds like they have way too much money to burn.

 

You can't really compare the draft to international FA. The draft has limitations with penalties for going over. If it was a free for all type draft(like the NFL years back) there would be ridiculous contracts for these players.

 

But in a way yes it is a lot of money to burn too. The Dodgers can take many many gambles other teams just can't rationalize.

 

Fair point. If you have it, spend it to get talent.

[Jenkins5]

The next collective bargaining needs to address all these international signing issues. If you are going to have bonus pools that teams are just blowing past without any thoughts what so ever, you need to ramp up the punishment. Strip draft picks or something. Dodgers can pay 50 million in just taxes on 16 year olds and not flinch. Brewers can't afford to go over limit at all...not equal playing field still