CONFIRMED: CUBS GET SOLER!!! 9yrs/30 mill

[jersey cubs fan]

Who does Soler compare to? I don't think I've read any comparisons.

 

Richard Hidalgo.

 

 

 

I just made that up, or rather it popped into my head

[Guest]

Since it's been a while, anyone have a scouting report on him or how quickly we could expect him to move through the system? What's his best tool?

 

Baseball America[/url]"]Jorge Soler, of

 

When Alexei Ramirez defected from Cuba and signed with the White Sox in 2008, his skill level was advanced enough to jump straight to the big leagues. While Cespedes fits into a similar mold in terms of timetable (though there's some thought he may need a minor league tune-up), Soler is still a prospect who will need a few years to develop in the minors. He'll take longer to get there, but he's also one of the better young players Cuba has produced in recent years with the offensive potential to be an above-average right fielder.

 

Soler, a righthanded hitter who turns 20 on Feb. 25, excelled at the World Junior Championship in Thunder Bay, Ontario in August 2010. Soler and first baseman Guillermo Aviles were Cuba's top hitters for the 18-and-under team at Thunder Bay, where Soler hit .304/.500/.522 with nine walks (second most in the tournament) and only one strikeout in seven games. Soler, who is represented by Bart Hernandez, is in the Dominican Republic and does not have his residency yet.

 

Listed at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds at Thunder Bay, Soler stands out for his thick, physical build and strength. Power is Soler's best tool, as he shows great bat speed, the ability to hit balls out to all fields and the potential to hit 25 home runs per year. While scouts like his power and some like his swing, he bars his front arm and the stiffness in his stroke is a concern for some scouts. Scouts have offered differing opinions on his ability to hit breaking balls, but he has a history of laying off pitches outside the strike zone in international competition and has more on-base potential than Cespedes.

 

Soler is athletic for his size and there are reports of him running the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds—a time that grades out as well above-average speed—but several scouts have said he's really an average runner at best, running better underway than down the line. Soler was a tall, slender guy back in 2008 when he played third base for Cuba at the 16U COPABE Pan American Championships in Mexico, but he's blown up physically since then. Depending on how much bigger he gets, there's a chance he could end up at first base down the road, but he should be able to handle right field for the near future. Scouts are mixed on his outfield instincts but he does have an above-average arm. He would likely begin his career at one of the Class A levels.

[RammyFanny]

Personally, Soler reminds me a lot of Jason Heyward (as a prospect). Maybe less hit tool, a tick more power. Body comparison, defense, position, arm, all seem pretty much dead on.

 

...Obviously, i'm basing this off of nothing but photos and scouting reports.

Edited June 11, 2012 by RammyFanny

[Banedon]

Saw this on HardballTalk's comments, and couldn't resist reposting it here:

 

Kind of surprising considering the Theo Epstein Cubs were supposed to be more frugal and make better personnel decisions.

Solar might project well to scouts but a 9 year $30 million salary to a guy who has never played an inning of big league ball seems nuts to me.

[jersey cubs fan]

It is nuts. And it never would have happened if the rule change wasn't coming up. But it's nuts on a relative smaller scale and a risk worth taking.

[Theo]

It is nuts. And it never would have happened if the rule change wasn't coming up. But it's nuts on a relative smaller scale and a risk worth taking.

It's not really nuts at all. 30 for 9 years is a no brainer actually.(from a FO perspective)

[Guest]

If Soler, Almora and Baez are all in Peoria at the same time, I'd either be disappointed in Baez's progress or thrilled at Soler's progress or both.

 

I think meeting in Daytona or Tennessee is more likely if at all.

 

Luckily my brother lives in Daytona Beach and is 5 min walking distance to the park.

 

I asked this one earlier, but I didn't see a response...any idea when any or all of these 3 project to be in Daytona?

 

Just guesses, but I'd say Soler early 2013, Baez early 2013, Almora end 2013/early 2014.

 

I'd guess Baez early 2013, Almora late 2013/early 2014, and Soler late 2013, but more likely 2014. (positive scenarios obviously). We'll get a clearer picture on possible Soler timelines once we find out if he's headed to Arizona or DSL to start this summer (hard to see him hit Boise, but I guess that can't be ruled out).

 

I agree on Baez and Almora but I could see Soler getting to Daytona (or, as the rumors go, somewhere in California or the Carolina League) much earlier in 2013. It all depends on how ready he is now and where he is assigned (I could see any level from DSL to Peoria). Remember he hasn't had in-game action in, what, a year?

[davell]

Badler just said everyone knew Soler was going to the Cubs and saying anything else would have been an insult to our intelligence.

[Bote McBoteface]

3.3 mil a year isn't going to hurt us even if he never sniffs the majors.

 

 

I know you aren't agreeing with that quote, but what a moran.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

It is nuts. And it never would have happened if the rule change wasn't coming up. But it's nuts on a relative smaller scale and a risk worth taking.

Exactly. In the abstract, 9 years / $30 million would be crazy for any draft pick not named Strasburg or Harper. But given the impending rule change, Soler's status as an international FA, and the restrictions on taking advantage of efficiencies in the Rule 4 draft, 9 years / $30 million is understandable.

[UMFan83]

I don't see where anyone said that Theo's Cubs are being more frugal as a long term strategy, just at this point in the rebuilding process, and specifically avoiding spending heavily on short/medium term deals to MLB players that won't be around in 2-3 years.

[jersey cubs fan]

It is nuts. And it never would have happened if the rule change wasn't coming up. But it's nuts on a relative smaller scale and a risk worth taking.

It's not really nuts at all. 30 for 9 years is a no brainer actually.(from a FO perspective)

 

It's justifiable, but relative to what 19 year olds who are years from the majors, especially ones with such a limited scoutable resume, tend to get, it's nuts.

[Theo]

We may not have an idea of what he's exactly going to project into the majors, but short term, he's already a top 40 prospect in baseball. It's definetly worth it to add that firepower to your farm system.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

It sure would be nice to see him playing with Peoria when they come to Cedar Rapids in 3-4 weeks.

[Guest]

It is nuts. And it never would have happened if the rule change wasn't coming up. But it's nuts on a relative smaller scale and a risk worth taking.

 

It reads to me like the guy might think he's getting paid $30M a year.

[BeerHere]

@BradleyAnkrom: When the (reported) nine-year deal for Soler ends, the Mets will still have 14 more years of paying Bobby Bonilla.

 

lol Mets.

This is sarcasm, right?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

@BradleyAnkrom: When the (reported) nine-year deal for Soler ends, the Mets will still have 14 more years of paying Bobby Bonilla.

 

lol Mets.

This is sarcasm, right?

I doubt it. Most people laugh about that deal.

[Guest]

From Callis over the winter

 

As for the 2012 Top 100 Prospects list, Soler is somewhat similar to Royals outfielder Bubba Starling, the fifth overall pick in the 2011 draft. Starling has the advantages of being more athletic and a better bet to stay in center field. I'd see both of them sitting in the 11-20 range on our next Top 100.

[RammyFanny]

He'll be able to opt out of his deal to undergo the regular arbitration process, however, so the Cubs' upside on the deal itself is somewhat limited. Among prospects currently in the Cubs' system, he'd rank behind only Anthony Rizzo, who has less upside but far greater probability.

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/law_keith/id/8038230/jorge-soler-talent-top-five-pick-mlb-draft#comment

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It is nuts. And it never would have happened if the rule change wasn't coming up. But it's nuts on a relative smaller scale and a risk worth taking.

Exactly. In the abstract, 9 years / $30 million would be crazy for any draft pick not named Strasburg or Harper. But given the impending rule change, Soler's status as an international FA, and the restrictions on taking advantage of efficiencies in the Rule 4 draft, 9 years / $30 million is understandable.

 

If draft picks were allowed to negotiate on the open market, I don't think $30 million would seem so crazy. The draft is, first and foremost, designed to artificially hold down the price of amateur talent.

[Little Slide Rooter]

So could the 2016 opening day lineup look something like:

 

1. Almora CF

2. Castro SS/3B

3. Soler RF

4. Rizzo 1B

5. Baez 3B/SS

6. Jackson LF

7. Lake/Hernandez/Amaya 2B

8. Koyie Hill

 

Lot of lefties, but still.

[BleacherBadger]

So could the 2016 opening day lineup look something like:

 

1. Almora CF

2. Castro SS/3B

3. Soler RF

4. Rizzo 1B

5. Baez 3B/SS

6. Jackson LF

7. Lake/Hernandez/Amaya 2B

8. Koyie Hill

 

Lot of lefties, but still.

 

Feels about a finger and a half light

[PosterToBeNamedLater]

2015 lineup? Fire up the Delorean...

 

Jackson cf

Castro ss

Baez 3b

Rizzo 1b

Soler rf

FA lf

Lake 2b

Castillo c

http://www.11points.com/images/backtothefuture2wrong/cubswinworldseries.jpg

[rawaction]

So could the 2016 opening day lineup look something like:

 

1. Almora CF

2. Castro SS/3B

3. Soler RF

4. Rizzo 1B

5. Baez 3B/SS

6. Jackson LF

7. Lake/Hernandez/Amaya 2B

8. Koyie Hill

 

Lot of lefties, but still.

 

Koyie won't go away damn it!

[jersey cubs fan]

He'll be able to opt out of his deal to undergo the regular arbitration process,

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/law_keith/id/8038230/jorge-soler-talent-top-five-pick-mlb-draft#comment

 

So I assume that means it's a 9 year deal up until the point in which he's built up enough service time for arbitration purposes. Still makes plenty of sense for the Cubs. In reality it's probably something like a 6 year deal with the majority of money tied up early, so 6/27 could be it.