July 2 Free Agents

[Dylan]

Source: #Padres have agreed to a deal with C Ricardo Rodriguez, #30 on @mlb Top 30 Int’l Prospects list http://atmlb.com/1irBBzQ @mlbpipline

 

Frederick Cuevas #Now Sign for 300K with NY Yankees. @Yankees #Thebestofthebest2014

Edited July 2, 2014 by Dylan

[Angrioter]

 

[G-Snarls]

MLB.com:

 

The Red Sox have signed top international free-agent pitcher Christopher Acosta to a signing bonus worth $1.5 million, according to industry sources.

 

The club did not confirm the signing.

 

The right-handed Acosta, who ranks No. 6 on MLB.com's Top 30 International Prospects list ,is among the best pitchers on the international market this year, and he will be a welcome addition to the club's Minor League system.

 

The Red Sox have also been linked to right-handed pitcher Anderson Espinonza from Venezuela. Espinoza is ranked at No. 10.

 

Acosta's fastball hovers in the 88-92 mph range, and his changeup might be his best pitch. The 6-foot-3, 170-pound Acosta also has an effective curveball that has a good rotation with bite, and he uses it in the strike zone early in counts and as a strikeout pitch.

 

The 16-year-old has been praised for his command and his overall feel for pitching. He is still fine-tuning his delivery.

 

Acosta is based in La Vega, Dominican Republic, and is trained by Alberto Faña.

 

In accordance to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, each team is allotted a $700,000 base and a bonus pool based on the team's record in 2013 for the international signing period that started July 2. Boston's bonus pool total for this year's signing period is $1,881,700.

[G-Snarls]

Lotto ticket.

Latinos are the largest producer of talent outside the U.S., it's a gamble with high risk but pays off.

 

Sure, and it's a separate pool of money, right?

[SJE32]

Any word on Guadalupe Chavez signing? Any proof that this guy actually exists?

[ace3113]

Any word on Guadalupe Chavez signing? Any proof that this guy actually exists?

 

Toronto Blue Jays

 

The Blue Jays have done well filling the lower levels of the system with promising Latin American talent. This year their top priority appears to be Venezuelan righthander Juan Meza, one of the top 2014 pitchers. They have also been connected to Kevin Vicuna, one of the better defensive shortstops in the class. Both players train with Carlos Guillen. Righthander Guadalupe Chavez, a converted outfielder with Quintana Roo in the Mexican League, is another played who’s been mentioned as a Blue Jays target.

[G-Snarls]

MLB.com:

 

Wednesday got off to a busy start for the Yankees, with the international signing period only a few hours old.

 

According to industry sources, the club signed Dominican third baseman Nelson Gomez for $2.25 million, along with Venezuelan shortstops Wilkerman Garcia for $1.35 million and Diego Castillo for $750,000. The Yankees also remain the favorite to sign several more highly regarded international prospects.

 

The Yankees have not confirmed the signings.

 

Gomez is ranked No. 2 on MLB.com's Top 30 International Prospects list, while Garcia and Castillo rank 14th and 16th, respectively. Gomez has gained a reputation as a pure hitter and is considered the best offensive player in this year's international signing class. He's been praised for his plate discipline and has a knack for squaring up the ball. He has shown the ability to hit for power to all fields.

 

Garcia could be better suited for second base or even third base because of his versatility and arm strength. He's known for his strong footwork, good hands and fluid movement on defense. Offensively, he should be able to hit for average due to his natural feel for hitting.

 

Castillo grew up admiring Derek Jeter and has one of the strongest arms in the class. He's known for his good footwork and soft hands on defense and a line-drive swing at the plate.

 

The Yankees are also the favorites to sign shortstop Dermis Garcia, the No. 1 player on MLB.com's rankings, along with outfielder Juan DeLeon (No. 5), shortstop Jonathan Amundaray (No. 7), outfielder Antonio Arias (No. 9), Korean shortstop Hyo-Jun Park (No. 13), catcher Miguel Flames (No. 25) and outfielder Bryan Emery (No. 29).

 

The Yankees have were also linked to shortstop Christopher Torres (No. 18), but that deal fell through, according to Torres' trainer, Orlando Mazara.

 

In accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, each team is allotted a $700,000 base and a bonus pool based on the team's record in 2013 for the international signing period. New York's bonus pool total for this year's signing period is $2,193,100.

 

There are penalties in place for teams that exceed their spending limits.

 

Teams that exceed the pools by up to 5 percent have to pay a 100 percent tax, and teams that exceed the pools by 5 to 10 percent are not allowed to sign a player for more than $500,000 during the next signing period, and they must pay a 100 percent tax on the pool overage. Teams that exceed the pools by 10 to 15 percent are not allowed to sign a player for more than $300,000 during the next signing period and have to pay a 100 percent tax on the pool overage.

 

In the most severe penalty, teams that exceed the pool by more than 15 percent are not allowed to sign a player for more than $300,000 during the next two signing periods in addition to paying a 100 percent tax on the pool overage.

[G-Snarls]

This is where the Yankees "shatter the record" for spending on international free agents?

[43211234]

So are the Yankees essentially going nuts this year with the intention of not being allowed to sign anyone next year?

[imsorry4beatinU]

Am I missing something? We signed Meza, anyone else? Any report on $$? Or has that information yet to come out

 

1.6 million for Meza. Saw it on twitter earlier, I forget by who tho.

[Chappy]

I'm Sure Ted, and Shea are both available

 

Bye.

[Angrioter]

Kevin "Elvis Andrus" Vicuña

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8seTxS_0Ws

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvR7DJxVBEU

 

I like him so much.

[flafson]

Anyone able to follow how much over the Yankees are?

[Mikeleelop]

Anyone able to follow how much over the Yankees are?

 

They are well over the threshold which gets the maximum penalty

[flafson]

I know that, but will be interesting to see how much over the 2mil they really are. With tax, it could cost them more than 30mil this year.

[Mikeleelop]

But they can get 5 seasons worth of prospects in one season

 

Penalty ties their hands for next two seasons so they are well ahead

 

Yankees can afford it. Their television deal makes them $100 million a season

 

Remember their tv numbers are half what the bluejays get on Rogers. It would be nice to see the jays play like the owners of the NYY did

[ace3113]

Yankees don't even give a f*** they need talent. You can't overpay in the draft because you lose draft picks which no team can afford to do. If they just have to pay a tax penalty its all good as long as they hit on at least a few of these players. They've had a lot of success in this market.

 

I knew at some point someone would do this in the IFA market. Can't wait to see who the first team is to try it in the rule 4 draft. You could literally come out with tons of 1st round calibre talent for the price of two future first round picks. If it's a deep and strong draft, and the next one is week it would have to be a consideration, I would think.

[GD]

I knew at some point someone would do this in the IFA market. Can't wait to see who the first team is to try it in the rule 4 draft. You could literally come out with tons of 1st round calibre talent for the price of two future first round picks. If it's a deep and strong draft, and the next one is week it would have to be a consideration, I would think.

 

Also if you're nearing the end of a rebuild and plan on making not insignificant upgrades to your team.

[Mikeleelop]

Also if you're nearing the end of a rebuild and plan on making not insignificant upgrades to your team.

 

Like the jays could have done this year?.....

 

 

Unfortunately, I'm kidding

[Deadpool]

Yankees spending money - $2,193,100

Dermis Garcia signs - $3.2 millions

 

It's okay if you only violate the spirit of the rules, right?

[kgm1]

Yankees are well over 10 million. Be interesting to see how much they actually spend. They are trying to rebuild a s*** system in one year with 16 year olds. Good luck as most of these kids fail.

[Abomination]

Do they forfeit the first round picks if the picks are protected in the top 10? Ie, if they crash and burn the rest of the year and wind up with say the 5th overall pick, do they lose that? Could be a costly gamble.

[burlingtonbandit]

Do they forfeit the first round picks if the picks are protected in the top 10? Ie, if they crash and burn the rest of the year and wind up with say the 5th overall pick, do they lose that? Could be a costly gamble.

 

Yes they would lose the picks. Not sure if you are talking about the Yankees situation but Intl FA you don't lose draft picks the following year for going over your bonus pool. Just the ability to sign a player for larger than 300k

[Deadpool]

Do they forfeit the first round picks if the picks are protected in the top 10? Ie, if they crash and burn the rest of the year and wind up with say the 5th overall pick, do they lose that? Could be a costly gamble.

 

International free agents do not affect the draft. The Yankees just will have 2 back to back low impact international free agent periods, but since they're looking like they're going to spend about 5 years worth this year alone, it's probably worth it (and probably a strategy that other teams should follow... Since rules are for poor people.)

[Abomination]

International free agents do not affect the draft. The Yankees just will have 2 back to back low impact international free agent periods, but since they're looking like they're going to spend about 5 years worth this year alone, it's probably worth it (and probably a strategy that other teams should follow... Since rules are for poor people.)

 

Oops. Brain cramp.

[Deadpool]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/06/infield-prospect-yoan-moncada-leaves-cuba.html

 

Thoughts? Does this guy rate saving a bit of cash for? Numbers don't look that great, but compared to what?

[GD]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/06/infield-prospect-yoan-moncada-leaves-cuba.html

 

Thoughts? Does this guy rate saving a bit of cash for? Numbers don't look that great, but compared to what?

 

Holy s***. I've been looking at this guy for a while. Huge want. I'd break the bank for him.

[Atothe]

Holy s***. I've been looking at this guy for a while. Huge want. I'd break the bank for him.

He's an even worst base stealer then D.j Davis, are you sure you think he's your guy?

[burlingtonbandit]

Holy s***. I've been looking at this guy for a while. Huge want. I'd break the bank for him.

 

What Kind of bonus is this guy looking at? By the sound of it sounds like it will be north of 5 million. Be interesting because teams who are already over the cap would be paying double to sign the guy.

[flafson]

If he wants so much money he should give the Yankees a visit.