2015 International Free Agents

[ace3113]

Bonus pools for July 2 have been announced. Figured it was a good time to start a thread to keep track of all the latest news.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/2015-16-mlb-international-bonus-pools/

 

2015-16 MLB International Bonus Pools

 

Teams have received their international bonus pools for the upcoming 2015-16 signing period, which begins on July 2. The pools are up slightly from a year ago, with the top pool getting an extra $378,500 and the bottom pool getting an additional $102,300.

 

The bonus pools are determined based on reverse order of winning percentage from the 2014 major league season, which means the Diamondbacks have the largest bonus pool, while the Angels have the smallest. However, the Diamondbacks will be unable to sign any pool-eligible player for more than $300,000 during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 signing periods as a penalty for going more than 15 percent over their current 2014-15 pool, mainly to sign Cuban righthander Yoan Lopez. The Angels, Rays, Red Sox and Yankees will also be unable to sign any pool-eligible players for more than $300,000 during the 2015-16 signing period. They do still keep their entire bonus pool, however, and are free to trade the individual slot values that comprise their pool.

 

While the majority of July 2 signings come from Latin America, especially the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, the bonus pools cover players classified as international amateurs from all countries not subject to the June draft. Cuban players are subject to the bonus pools as well, unless they are at least 23 years old and have played five or more seasons in Serie Nacional, in which case they are exempt.

 

Team Bonus Pool

 

1. Diamondbacks $5,393,900

2. Rockies $4,966,300

3. Rangers $4,586,600

4. Astros $4,248,800

5. Twins $3,948,500

6. Red Sox $3,681,000

7. White Sox $3,443,000

8. Cubs $3,230,700

9. Phillies $3,041,700

10. Reds $2,873,000

11. Marlins $2,779,300

12. Padres $2,691,800

13. Rays $2,609,200

14. Mets $2,531,300

15. Braves $2,458,400

16. Brewers $2,389,300

17. Blue Jays $2,324,100

18. Yankees $2,262,800

19. Indians $2,204,900

20. Mariners $2,150,300

21. Giants $2,130,900

22. Pirates $2,111,900

23. Athletics $2,093,100

24. Royals $2,074,700

25. Tigers $2,056,200

26. Cardinals $2,038,200

27. Dodgers $2,020,300

28. Orioles $2,002,900

29. Nationals $1,985,400

30. Angels $1,968,600

[King]

Alvarez please

[Angrioter]

Vlad Jr, Alvarez and Angrioter's cousin

[L54]

Dodgers scare me

[GD]

Ouch, only 2.3. Vladdy Jr already blows past that, so we've effectively spent $4.1M. We might only have room for like another 1.5M player. These overages add up quick.

[King]

 

I can fap to this.

[Angrioter]

Jays coming int FA

http://25.media.tumblr.com/f7d51db73af769d73c1cd75af084a445/tumblr_mw7n2o9emy1rk2nr0o1_500.gif

[flafson]

So if Vlad Jr. deal is worth 3mil, we are already more than 15% over which means AA will have to spend like it's his last day because we won't be able to spend anything afterwards.

[HERPDERP]

Angrioter's cousin

 

donkeys can't play baseball?

[Angrioter]

donkeys can't play baseball?

 

He's a smart donkey, and................his big dick.

[Mikeleelop]

Alvarez is the type of pitcher AA loves. He seems to be a Sanchez clone

[Mikeleelop]

then again, who doesnt love an 18 year old throwing 98 with a good breaking ball?

[Deadpool]

Someone more knowledgeable about the situation tell me what is the most we can spend before we wind up in that "can't spend more than $300K for the next like, 6 seasons or whatever" area? 'cause if we go over that, we'd better go HUGE over that...

[Mikeleelop]

from Ben Badler of Baseball America. if you go more than 15% over your limit you get the subsequent restriction. For the blue jays that is $348,615 or a total bonus pool of $2,672,715

 

2015-16 MLB International Bonus Pools

 

February 26, 2015 by Ben Badler

 

Teams have received their international bonus pools for the upcoming 2015-16 signing period, which begins on July 2. The pools are up slightly from a year ago, with the top pool getting an extra $378,500 and the bottom pool getting an additional $102,300.

 

The bonus pools are determined based on reverse order of winning percentage from the 2014 major league season, which means the Diamondbacks have the largest bonus pool, while the Angels have the smallest. However, the Diamondbacks will be unable to sign any pool-eligible player for more than $300,000 during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 signing periods as a penalty for going more than 15 percent over their current 2014-15 pool, mainly to sign Cuban righthander Yoan Lopez. The Angels, Rays, Red Sox and Yankees will also be unable to sign any pool-eligible players for more than $300,000 during the 2015-16 signing period. They do still keep their entire bonus pool, however, and are free to trade the individual slot values that comprise their pool.

 

While the majority of July 2 signings come from Latin America, especially the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, the bonus pools cover players classified as international amateurs from all countries not subject to the June draft. Cuban players are subject to the bonus pools as well, unless they are at least 23 years old and have played five or more seasons in Serie Nacional, in which case they are exempt.

 

Team Bonus Pool

1. Diamondbacks $5,393,900

2. Rockies $4,966,300

3. Rangers $4,586,600

4. Astros $4,248,800

5. Twins $3,948,500

6. Red Sox $3,681,000

7. White Sox $3,443,000

8. Cubs $3,230,700

9. Phillies $3,041,700

10. Reds $2,873,000

11. Marlins $2,779,300

12. Padres $2,691,800

13. Rays $2,609,200

14. Mets $2,531,300

15. Braves $2,458,400

16. Brewers $2,389,300

17. Blue Jays $2,324,100

18. Yankees $2,262,800

19. Indians $2,204,900

20. Mariners $2,150,300

21. Giants $2,130,900

22. Pirates $2,111,900

23. Athletics $2,093,100

24. Royals $2,074,700

25. Tigers $2,056,200

26. Cardinals $2,038,200

27. Dodgers $2,020,300

28. Orioles $2,002,900

29. Nationals $1,985,400

30. Angels $1,968,600

[flafson]

He's a smart donkey, and................his big dick.

 

Should i even ask how you know the size of your cousin's dick?

[Angrioter]

Should i even ask how you know the size of your cousin's dick?

I'm a pimp bro. You should to read more, and know more about your cyber-friends.

[Ehjays]

Dodgers scare me

 

Yeah, I've read that that's why they stayed away from Moncada. They said they were very interested in him but were more intrigued of going full out next signing period with no Yankees, Red Sox etc to compete with.

 

So yeah, they scare me too.

[TheHurl]

Should i even ask how you know the size of your cousin's dick?

 

You think Ang's family can afford pants?

[metafour]

Dodgers scare me

 

Kiley McDaniel mentioned in his chat yesterday that as of now it actually looks like the Phillies plan on spending more than the Dodgers. No one ever really brings up the Phillies here.

[L54]

Kiley McDaniel mentioned in his chat yesterday that as of now it actually looks like the Phillies plan on spending more than the Dodgers. No one ever really brings up the Phillies here.

 

Ya I read that too, although it would be hard to outspend the Dodgers I think if they really put their mind to it.

[ElNik2013]

You would think the Dodgers would try to spend less and get more value since they have Friedman now, but we'll have to wait and see.

[Spanky99]

You would think the Dodgers would try to spend less and get more value since they have Friedman now, but we'll have to wait and see.

 

From a IFA standpoint, doubt it.

[GD]

Which would make it very​ unlikely that we sign anyone else.

[flafson]

You would think the Dodgers would try to spend less and get more value since they have Friedman now, but we'll have to wait and see.

 

You assume that they care about money, they probably only care about getting the best value for their money.

[GD]

But they'd already be in full penalty mode at that price. If you're already there why not blow your brains out?

 

Because it ends up being really, really costly. It gets to the point where you could sign another Russell Martin, or have a bunch of dominican Ang Jrs.

[Deadpool]

Because it ends up being really, really costly. It gets to the point where you could sign another Russell Martin, or have a bunch of dominican Ang Jrs.

 

Yeah, but if you're already blocked from spending more than $300K for the next 2 (3?) years, you've gotta go big or go home... There's no point in going slightly over the limit.

[ace3113]

The Top 5 Expected Bonus Guys for July 2:

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/july-2nd-plans-are-coming-into-focus/

 

Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., RF, Dominican

 

I’ve written about Guerrero a good bit in the past and not just because of his name; he’s arguably the top prospect in this year’s class. I say arguably because, at this age, it’s almost impossible to get a unanimous opinion from scouts on anyone and it should probably always be that way, given the uncertainty. The first thing fans ask me about Guerrero is if he had his dad’s arm and right now, he doesn’t. It ranges from fringy to solid average by the day, but he’s still going to add a good bit of weight and it’ll likely improve, so I’ll project him in right field.

 

Guerrero ran a 7.25 in the 60 at this showcase, which is 40-45 speed on the 20-80 scale, and he showed above average to plus bat speed and power, which likely end up at the top end of that range at maturity. He didn’t perform very well in the two games I saw, but I’m told he’s looked much better in terms of game hitting performance in the past. Guerrero’s draw is big bat speed, big power and physical projection, along with the bat control and feel to hit to tap into those skills in games.

 

I reported earlier that Guerrero has a deal with the Blue Jays for $3.2 million, but I’m now told the number actually starts with a four, with most sources saying it’s $4.4 million or $4.5 million. The Jays can trade for up to $3.486 million in their bonus pool, so if this deal goes down as expected, this would push them into the penalty range.

 

Jhailyn Ortiz, LF, Dominican

 

Ortiz is a prospect of extremes. He is 16 years old, has present 70 raw power, he’s listed at 6’2/260 and ran the same 7.25 in the 60 as Guerrero, but is probably even quicker once underway. I didn’t have the camera out, but, in on of the games, Ortiz hit a triple over the center fielder’s head and going from first to third, he looked about an average runner, which is kinda unbelievable given the other information I just told you.

 

Ortiz’s arm is average and he has that looseness to his actions at the plate that tell you he’s more than just the stiff slugger most guys this size are. Like Guerrero, Ortiz wasn’t quite himself at the MLB event, with the huge stadium full of hundreds of scouts likely contributing. Ortiz whiffed on more than a few sliders out of the zone, which he’ll need to clean up, but he more than showed flashes of elite ability.

 

A scout recently told me that he saw Cecil Fielder when he was 16 years old and people don’t realize how athletic he was back then: the scout saw him reverse dunk. I don’t know if Ortiz can do that, but he’s got some of the same athletic indicators. The consensus in the scouting community is that Ortiz has or will have a deal with the Phillies and that the bonus starts with a four, with my latest intel pegging it at $4.2 million. The Phillies could trade for up to $4.5 million in cap space, so this alone doesn’t mean they will be going over their bonus pool, but I’m sure fans will now start dreaming about Ortiz as the eventual Ryan Howard replacement.

 

Wander Javier, SS, Dominican

 

Javier is the kind of player you typically see near the top of July 2nd bonus lists. He’s a 6’0, lanky shortstop with easy actions and an above average arm with an ability to stick at the position. Javier ran a 7.01 in the 60 last month, a 50 run time on the 20-80 scale, but he’s the type of kid who will probably gain a step in the next few years; Royals SS Raul Mondesi is an example of similar prospect who gained a couple steps after he signed. Javier ran a 6.76 for me in October, so 55 speed is clearly in the tank.

 

Javier flashes average raw power that may even be a tick better than that depending how his body develops and he flashes some ability to show that tool in games. In the first half of the video, from last month, Javier was just okay offensively, getting off balance and swinging and missing more than expected. In the second half of the video, from October, Javier is more relaxed with better timing. While his mechanics still aren’t perfect, his feel for hitting took over when his hitting actions were more compact. This isn’t to say that Javier is trending down, just pointing out how one bad event could change a scout’s projection if he didn’t have history with the player. This type of variance is common with young players and is fixable.

 

Javier is widely believed to have a deal with the Twins for $4.0 million, which I believe would be the highest July 2nd bonus of all-time for a shortstop. The Twins’ pool is just under $4.0 million, which means trades could push it to nearly $6 million, so they could easily stay under after a Javier signing, with just one minor trade to add more pool space.

[ace3113]

Continued...

 

Starling Heredia, CF, Dominican

 

Heredia is one of the more interesting prospects in this class. He’s a maturely-built, athletic kid with plus foot speed, bat speed and raw power, along with a solid average arm. He has some feel to hit in games and, as evidenced from the long video above, I’ve seen him a good bit. It’s an easy multi-million dollar package and some scouts see a little crudeness as the plate, but agree the tools are elite and, at this age, you can’t be too picky about game performance.

 

I heard Heredia tied to the Cubs in October, but it wasn’t a done deal. I’ve been hearing him most with the Dodgers for the last month or two and that was a curious situation pre-Moncada signing, with most scouts assuming the Dodgers would sign Moncada, taking them out of play for the top 2015 July 2nd prospects. With the Dodgers decision to forego signing Moncada in the current period, allowing them to spend freely in the upcoing 2015 signing period, Heredia is still in play and their top 16-year-old target, but a deal isn’t done.

 

As I mentioned in my latest Yadier Alvarez update, the Dodgers are eyeing the option to go well over in 2015 and getting a number of players like Heredia, Alvarez and others, but one executive said the Dodgers were “dragging their feet” on this decision and “stringing out” Heredia. If Heredia signs with the Dodgers, the most common number I’m hearing is $3.0 million. The Dodgers max 2015 pool after making trades for pool space is just over $3.0 million, so signing Heredia could mean the Dodgers are looking to go over their pool, but that alone may not do it.

 

Seuly Matias, CF, Dominican

 

Matias compares to the player that the Yankees gave their third highest bonus to in last year’s spending spree, RF Juan DeLeon, who got a $2 million bonus. I think DeLeon was a solid value for the Yankees and I currently have him as their top prospect from that July 2nd group. Matias is a little slighter of build and quicker, giving him a better chance to stick in center field, and his raw power is more projection now that DeLeon’s, but I could still see Matias having 55 raw power at maturity. Matias is a 55 runner right now (6.84 in the 60 last month) but good athletes this age tend to get a little faster. Matias also has a plus arm, though he was a little wild in the workout setting, so he profiles in right field if he bulks up. There’s above average bat speed, so you could see scouts hanging five above average tools on Matias on the right day.

 

The chatter among scouts is that Matias has a deal with the Royals, with some buzz it is as high as $3.0 million, but my latest information is that it’s $2.2 million. The Royals can trade for just over $3.0 million in their bonus pool, so Matias alone likely wouldn’t push them over, but scouts tell me Kansas City has a deal with another player for seven figures (whom I’ll write about in the next article) and that would send them over their pool if it plays out as expected.

[ace3113]

I hate the fact that it seems like this class isn't as good as last years. Minogue seems to think that Lara and Rondon from last year are better than anyone in this class. Did we pick the wrong year to go all out on IFAs? I really hope we go after Yaddy Alvarez as well.

[Atothe]

Because it ends up being really, really costly. It gets to the point where you could sign another Russell Martin, or have a bunch of dominican Ang Jrs.

 

Your reasoning is why the orioles don't get in the international free agent game, weak