2009 Int'l FA Market: Cubs Sign 6 For $250,000+ Bonuses

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Hearing Wagner Mateo will sign with the Cardinals for approximately $3 million on July.

 

- Ben Badler, Baseball America

[Guest]

The Royals will sign Nicaraguan 3B Chesler Cuthbert, another prospect the Cubs were linked to.

 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette[/url]"]The Pirates have lost out on top Nicaraguan prospect Cheslor Cuthbert, a third baseman considered by most to rank among the top 20 prospects in Latin America. Cuthbert has reached an agreement to sign with Kansas City for a bonus in the range of $1.5 million, according to a source this afternoon.

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According to ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr.'s Twitter, the finalists for Dominican righty Chris Cabrera (another Latin American who the Cubs were linked to) are the Yankees, Red Sox, Reds and Padres.

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From BA:

 

Wagner Mateo appeared to be the Giants' top July 2 target, but that ship appears to have sailed with Mateo now likely headed to the Cardinals. So what is San Francisco's next move? The Giants have spent big money on Dominican power bats Angel Villalona and Rafael Rodriguez in recent years, and they have been linked to a pair of other Dominican power hitters this year: Jacob Beltre and Rosel Herrera. The Brewers and Cubs are also believed to be interested in Beltre, while sources say Herrera has drawn interest from the Rockies and Dodgers.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2009/268464.html

 

Beltre from BP:

 

...Dominican catching prospect Jacob Beltre, a "muscle-bound 6-foot-3" slugger with an apparent unbridled enthusiasm for the game which has piqued the Rangers' curiosity to such an extent that they, along with the Pirates, are attempting to import Beltre stateside to participate in team-monitored workouts.

 

Kiley McDaniel (BP) rated him the 16th best IFA prospect. BA says he's a catcher, BP says he's a first baseman because he hit a growth spurt and shot up to 6'5.

[Guest]

Found this from Kiley McDaniel but it was from a while ago:

 

Well, the Cubs are one of the teams that will be a factor for Sano, but I don't see them paying what the price will ultimately end up being. Much of the top talent has been spoken for, but the Cubs aren't opposed to dropping some coin in Latin America, so they're following the top uncommitted players right now. I sound like a broken record but the Cubs are one of the dozen teams on RHP Chris Cabrera, and they're also interested in the two Cuban defectors I'll be covering soon.

[Guest]

Jorge Arangure of ESPN Deportes says Dominican OF Michael Guzman has been suspended one year for age issues. MLB is still investigating Miguel Angel Sano's age.

[Guest]

BA on 16-year old German outfielder Max Kepler, arguably the best European prospect of all time: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2009/268468.html

[Tony Thomas]

MLB Trade Rumors uses this guy for some of there pieces and he writes for ESPN but he said that the Cubs are in on Beltre and P Jochy Ogando.

[wvcbxl]

BA on 16-year old German outfielder Max Kepler, arguably the best European prospect of all time: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2009/268468.html

 

Summary of whatever that subscription-only article says please.

[Guest]

MLB Trade Rumors uses this guy for some of there pieces and he writes for ESPN but he said that the Cubs are in on Beltre and P Jochy Ogando.

 

Jorge's Twitter is good. He's the ESPN Deportes guy.

 

I also would recommend Kiley McDaniel's Twitter (international guy from BP) and Ben Badler's Twitter (international guy from BA).

 

McDaniel and Arangure, Jr. talk a lot back and forth which is interesting.

 

Here's what Jorge said on C/1B Jacob Beltre (BP also says the Cubs are in on him) and RHP Jochy Ogando:

 

Jacob Beltre wants to play C, not 1B, and the teams that have shown most interest in him as C are #Cardinals, #Cubs, #Brewers, and #Giants

 

C Jacob Beltre won't likely sign until after July 2. He was 2nd option for several teams, and his market is just now developing.

 

P Jochy Ogando is in same situation as Beltre. Was second option. Teams interested include #Cubs, #Yankees, #Dodgers, #Giants

 

Both Ogando and Beltre likely to get six-figure bonuses.

 

Arangure Jr also says the Red Sox will sign Dominican righty Raul Alcantara for a $500,000 bonus (they're already expected to sign Dominican SS Jose Vinicio [$2 million] and Dominican lefty Victor Payano [$900,000]).

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BA on 16-year old German outfielder Max Kepler, arguably the best European prospect of all time: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2009/268468.html

 

Summary of whatever that subscription-only article says please.

 

6'4, 180 lb German projects to have 5 average or possibly above average tools. Lefty batter, strong arm, slightly above average speed though he might lose that as he fills in and Max projects to grow into his power once he fills in. A couple different quotes both of which touch on his advanced maturity for his age. The Red Sox (righthander Jennell Hudson), Reds (first baseman Donald Lutz) and Mets (catcher Kai Gronauer) have all shown interest, partly because they've recently signed Germans. His mom was born in the U.S. so he already knows English and that should help him once he gets to the complex leagues. Is getting seriously national team consideration in Germany despite his age.

[Guest]

keep hearing BAL mentioned as serious darkhorse on sano. favorites still PIT & MIN. numbers anywhere from 3.5-4.5. could sign well after 7/2

 

Kiley McDaniel's Twitter

[wvcbxl]

Thanks, Raisin.

 

A couple different quotes both of which touch on his advanced maturity for his age... Is getting seriously national team consideration in Germany despite his age.

 

Not surprising, really.

Despite being only sixteen, he's already playng for Regensburg's first team, arguably the best in Germany and on a European level they are just a notch below the top teams from Italy or the Netherlands.

He's already a regular in the German junior team, so they know what they can expect from him.

[Guest]

Twitter roundup:

 

Red Sox look like the favorite to sign German OF Max Kepler, according to two scouts

...

Santa will be delivering expensive presents tomorrow to the #Rangers, #Yankees, #Red Sox, #Mariners, #Cardinals and #Mets

 

Sano can't and won't sign until he passes his age investigation, which now appears likely to go past the July 2 date.

...

Victor Payano, LHP, who will sign with #redsox for 900k. Rosmel Herrera, SS, rumored to #Rockies for $1m

...

VZ SS Humberto Valor is expected to get a bonus of around $1.5m-$2.2 m. Top suitors appear to be #Reds and #Braves.

[Tony Thomas]

From jose's twitter

Chicago Cubs appear favorites to land LHP Kirby Peña for 700-800k. No age issues with Peña. He's a US Citizen who was living in DR.

[Tony Thomas]

He said that he was born in Boston and thats as much as he knows on him

[Guest]

Thanks, thats the first time I've heard of Kirby. That's a sizable bonus, the Cubs haven't gone that high in Latin America since Larry Suarez in 2006.

 

Other competitors:

 

#Reds, #Tigers, #Pirates, #Astros also have intrest in Peña

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Baseball America[/url]"]These teams should be in the bidding for some of the mid-level prospects, though don't be surprised if they jump up and spend for one of the top bonuses of the signing period.

 

Chicago Cubs: The Cubs are among the most active teams in the Pacific Rim, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them make a signing from the Far East. They might be more active in Latin America, perhaps for a player like Dominican catcher Jacob Beltre or Dominican righthander Jochi Ogando. The Cubs typically avoid big bonuses for Latin American players, though they have made a few exceptions in the past.

[Guest]

BA's top 25 prospects (by expected signing bonus, not necessarily talent):

 

1. Miguel Sano, SS, Dominican Republic

2. Wagner Mateo, CF, Dominican Republic

3. Gary Sanchez, C, Dominican Republic

4. Guillermo Pimentel, CF, Dominican Republic

5. Jose Vincio, SS, Dominican Republic

6. Luis Sardinas, SS, Venezuela

7. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Nicaragua

8. Juan Urbina, LHP, Venezuela

9. Daniel Sanchez, RHP, Venezuela

10. Jose Pena, RF, Dominican Republic

11. Edgar Ferreira, LHP, Dominican Republic

12. Jochi Ogando, RHP, Dominican Republic

13. Jacob Beltre, C, Dominican Republic

14. Victor Payano, LHP, Dominican Republic

15. Jurickson Profar, RHP/SS, Curacao

16. Luis Jolly, CF, Dominican Republic

17. Johendi Jiminian, RHP, Dominican Republic

18. Santo Aybar, SS, Dominican Republic

19. Leonardo Perdomo, RHP, Dominican Republic

20. Rosel Herrera, SS, Dominican Republic

21. Wilfredo Solano, SS, Venezuela

22. Santiago Nesi, C, Venezuela

23. Jorge Polanco, SS, Dominican Republic

24. Jairo Kelly, SS, Dominican Republic

25. Humberto Valor, SS, Venezuela

 

Premium content with scouting reports for those top 25: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2009/268475.html

[Guest]

Ben Badler is chatting at BA on the 7/2 market right now: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/chat/?1246465630

[CUBZ99]

BA's top 25 prospects (by expected signing bonus, not necessarily talent):

 

1. Miguel Sano, SS, Dominican Republic

2. Wagner Mateo, CF, Dominican Republic

3. Gary Sanchez, C, Dominican Republic

4. Guillermo Pimentel, CF, Dominican Republic

5. Jose Vincio, SS, Dominican Republic

6. Luis Sardinas, SS, Venezuela

7. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Nicaragua

8. Juan Urbina, LHP, Venezuela

9. Daniel Sanchez, RHP, Venezuela

10. Jose Pena, RHP, Dominican Republic

11. Edgar Ferreira, LHP, Dominican Republic

12. Jochi Ogando, RHP, Dominican Republic

13. Jacob Beltre, C, Dominican Republic

14. Victor Payano, LHP, Dominican Republic

15. Jurickson Profar, RHP/SS, Curacao

16. Luis Jolly, CF, Dominican Republic

17. Johendi Jiminian, RHP, Dominican Republic

18. Santo Aybar, SS, Dominican Republic

19. Leonardo Perdomo, RHP, Dominican Republic

20. Rosel Herrera, SS, Dominican Republic

21. Wilfredo Solano, SS, Venezuela

22. Santiago Nesi, C, Venezuela

23. Jorge Polanco, SS, Dominican Republic

24. Jairo Kelly, SS, Dominican Republic

25. Humberto Valor, SS, Venezuela

 

Premium content with scouting reports for those top 25: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2009/268475.html

 

So is Kirby Pena also known as Jose Pena? Or is he not considered top 25?

[Guest]

BA's top 25 prospects (by expected signing bonus, not necessarily talent):

 

1. Miguel Sano, SS, Dominican Republic

2. Wagner Mateo, CF, Dominican Republic

3. Gary Sanchez, C, Dominican Republic

4. Guillermo Pimentel, CF, Dominican Republic

5. Jose Vincio, SS, Dominican Republic

6. Luis Sardinas, SS, Venezuela

7. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Nicaragua

8. Juan Urbina, LHP, Venezuela

9. Daniel Sanchez, RHP, Venezuela

10. Jose Pena, RHP, Dominican Republic

11. Edgar Ferreira, LHP, Dominican Republic

12. Jochi Ogando, RHP, Dominican Republic

13. Jacob Beltre, C, Dominican Republic

14. Victor Payano, LHP, Dominican Republic

15. Jurickson Profar, RHP/SS, Curacao

16. Luis Jolly, CF, Dominican Republic

17. Johendi Jiminian, RHP, Dominican Republic

18. Santo Aybar, SS, Dominican Republic

19. Leonardo Perdomo, RHP, Dominican Republic

20. Rosel Herrera, SS, Dominican Republic

21. Wilfredo Solano, SS, Venezuela

22. Santiago Nesi, C, Venezuela

23. Jorge Polanco, SS, Dominican Republic

24. Jairo Kelly, SS, Dominican Republic

25. Humberto Valor, SS, Venezuela

 

Premium content with scouting reports for those top 25: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2009/268475.html

 

So is Kirby Pena also known as Jose Pena? Or is he not considered top 25?

 

They're two different guys - on the list I just posted, Jose Pena is incorrectly listed as a RHP. He's really a RF who has been linked to the Padres.

 

I had never heard of Kirby Pena until Arangure mentioned him 2 hours ago. BA clearly doesn't think he's a top-25 bonus guy (though I'd be floored if $800,000 isn't one of the 25 top bonuses!). This kid could be one of those guys who comes on strong late or could have been hidden/discovered late in the process. Or he could not be worth $700-$800k.

 

----

 

Other notes from Arangure:

 

#Padres at one point were leaders for Peña, Cabrera and Ferreira, but money didn't materialize for them. Bad sign for small mrkt teams

Source: #Padres will NOT sign Cabrera, Pena or Ferreira. Became too expensive. SD won't likely sign any big names this yr. Budget issues.

 

Luis Jolly turned down $800k from the Phillies and then fired agent Rob Plummer.

[Guest]

Ben Badler chat:

 

Carlos (Santo Domingo): Have all the guys in the top 25 passed the Age Investigation?

 

Ben Badler: I don't believe so, although it's not like MLB is sending out a press release every time they approve a player or every time they find an irregularity. And just to clarify something in case people weren't aware, but MLB investigates the ages and identities of all of these top prospects. Miguel Sano has received the most media attention because he's a premium prospect, but all of these guys are going to get scrutinized.

 

JY (Manhattan): Is there anyone interesting coming out of the Pac Rim who hasn't signed yet or is this a down year for them?

 

Ben Badler: There might be. To be honest, since there are so many more scouts involved in Latin America, it's easier to find out information on players from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela before they sign, which is why our July 2 preview is so Latin-focused, aside from Max Kepler. We have scouting contacts over in Asia and Europe and we're building our international coverage every year, but right now it's easier for us to get reliable information on prospects from the Pacific Rim after they sign, though that should change in the future as more teams get involved in the action over there.

 

Fred (Ohio): Do most scouts think that Jacob Beltre can stay at catcher? Thanks!

 

Ben Badler: It's hard for a scout to look at Beltre's body, when he's still only 16, and project him to stay at catcher in the big leagues. He has some arm strength, but he's not going to get faster or more agile, so I think he moves to first base. The team that signs him is banking on the bat.

 

Joseph (Fort Worth,Tx): Thanks for the chat Ben! This seems like a class that is very deep, but lacking of stars outside the top 4. What do you think, and how does this class compare with recent ones?

 

Ben Badler: I think the hitters from the Dominican Republic are better than most years. The pitching overall seems to be down, but there are arms to be had, and anyone with at least one or two impressive attributes like arm strength or a projectable body seems to be getting pretty decent scratch in the market right now. Venezuela is just OK for bats, but should be a little better next year from what I hear. But as for stars, I would say that the stars of this class might end up coming from some of the high-profile players we've written about here at BA, but we all know that there are going to be a.) players who jump up and surprise for big bonuses and b.) more important, players who won't sign for much money but who go on to be stars. As more agents get involved in Latin America and more teams increase their scouting presence in the region, theoretically the system of identifying major league talent should improve every year. But these kids are so young and have to be evaluated within a difficult context to evaluate that there are always going to be players who won't sign for much yet grow, mature and improve to become big leaguers and even stars, which is why good year-round scouting is paramount.

 

Navin (Pasadena, CA): What type of bonus figures are Ogando and Beltre looking at?

 

Ben Badler: High six-figures, could push a million if a team wants to seal the deal there. The Giants to me are the real wild card. They have the budget to spend big dollars internationally, and they've done so in the past to get power bats like AnVil and Rafael Rodriguez. They won't just give whatever they were planning to allocate to Wagner Mateo to one other player, but they definitely have some loose change in their pockets.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/chat/?1246465630

 

Badler also said that the Yankees will sign RHP Chris Cabrera ($400,000) and SS Damian Arredondo.

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Rumor that Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman has defected in Rotterdam: http://www.cubaencuentro.com/es/deportes/noticias/el-pitcher-aroldis-chapman-abandona-el-equipo-nacional-en-holanda-190890

[Outshined_One]

Rumor that Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman has defected in Rotterdam: http://www.cubaencuentro.com/es/deportes/noticias/el-pitcher-aroldis-chapman-abandona-el-equipo-nacional-en-holanda-190890

 

Holy crap!

 

How much would he fetch in the open market?